Three women in critical condition after suspected crowd crush at Brixton O2 Academy Asake gig
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Three women remain in a critical condition following an apparent crush as a large crowd tried to force their way into a south London concert venue.
A total of eight people were taken to hospital from the O2 Academy Brixton by ambulance, the Metropolitan Police said, and two who were less seriously injured were treated at the scene.
The incident occurred during a performance by Nigerian Afrobeats singer Asake on Thursday night.
In a statement outside Brixton police station on Friday afternoon, Commander Colin Wingrove said three people were in a critical condition in hospital, down from four reported by the force earlier on Friday.
Commander Colin Wingrove holds a press conference about the Brixton incident on Friday
He said an “urgent investigation” into the incident was underway.
One person has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and an incident in which an officer was “apparently seen to push a member of the public” is currently under review by the force’s director of professional standards, Commander Wingrove said.
The women in critical condition are aged 21, 23 and 33.
Concertgoers react to Asake's performance being cancelled before the extent of the crush was revealed
An MP has called for answers to what led to the suspected crowd crush.
Florence Eshalomi, Labour MP for Vauxhall, said in a statement posted on Twitter: “It is very clear ticketing and security procedures have not performed as they should have for this incident to have occurred.
“We need answers about exactly how this happened and safeguards against it in future. This will be fully investigated by Specialist Crime detectives, supported by Lambeth Council’s Licensing Unit.”
She added: “This is a deeply concerning incident and has turned an experience which should have been a celebration into a very sad day.
“My thoughts are with those caught up in the crush last night, in particular those that remain in hospital. My central hope is for their full recovery.”
Ahead of the gig, Asake had posted on Twitter asking fans not to come to the venue unless they had a valid ticket.
The concert was the third of three sold-out dates at the 4,921-standing capacity venue and concluded a run of UK dates.
A woman involved in the crush, who spoke to the BBC after being admitted to hospital with suspected internal bleeding, said: “I couldn’t breathe and I completely passed out. I thought I was dead.”
“I took my last breath and I could not get any more oxygen. I was so scared.
“I was just queuing up to give them my ticket and then the crowd out here was insane, they just came and pushed and I just fell down.”
Lambeth Police said emergency services attended the venue in Stockwell Road following reports shortly after 9.30pm of injuries after “a large crowd attempted to gain entry without tickets”.
Scotland Yard said officers, London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade attended the scene and found “a number of people with injuries believed to have been caused by crushing”.
"I can’t believe this was my reality yesterday," one concertgoer tweeted on Friday, with a video of the scenes. "In the middle of this with no where to go. I was squashed, people stampeded in after hours of standing outside and having the doors closed. I could not breathe. I had a panic attack later on. I’m traumatised."
The Metropolitan Police's Ade Adelekan urged people to “be sensible about what they share” on social media and “not to post material that will be upsetting to those affected by this incident”.
He also said that, where force has been used by officers, “those officers know they have to be accountable for their actions”, adding that the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards will look at all material, including body-worn video footage from those at the scene.
Concertgoers react to Asake's performance being cancelled before the extent of the crush was revealed
Commander Adelekan urged any witnesses who are yet to speak with police to get in contact.
A cancellation announcement was made on stage during the gig in which the crowd was told the show had to be stopped due to a breach of the doors.
Footage posted online showed large crowds outside the building, with many people holding aloft mobile phones and filming the scene.
In other video content, the crowd inside the venue can be heard booing when an announcement was made from the stage saying the show was being closed.
Text posted alongside another video claimed there had been “grown adults bumping doors”.
Commander Adelekan said: “This is an extremely upsetting incident which has left four people critically ill in hospital. My thoughts and prayers are with them and their families.
“A police investigation has been launched, and it will be as thorough and as forensic as necessary to establish exactly what happened last night.
“The scene will be examined by specialist officers, CCTV will be viewed, every witness that we can make contact with will be spoken to, and all other lines of inquiry will be followed.
“Officers are remaining in the area to provide reassurance to the local community in and around Brixton. If you have any information or concerns, please speak with them.”
Referring to a clip he said had been “widely shared”, he confirmed no police dogs were deployed to the location.
Asake issued a statement on Instagram saying his "heart is with those" who were injured.
Asake, whose real name is Ahmed Ololade, was recently nominated for BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2023 award, for artists breaking through in the UK.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted his concerns over the incident.
“My thoughts are with all those affected by the awful incident at Brixton Academy," he wrote. “Eight people were taken to hospital, with four in critical condition.
“An urgent investigation is under way and I remain in close contact with the Met Commissioner since last night.
"I'm heartbroken that this could happen to young Londoners enjoying a night out in our city and urge anyone with any information to contact the police on 101."
Any witnesses who are yet to speak with police are asked to call 101 ref 6725/15Dec.
Anyone with mobile phone footage that may assist police, are also asked to contact @MetCC on Twitter.
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