Rapper Drake, who has been named in a few lawsuits filed against fellow rapper Travis Scott after eight people died in a crowd surge during the Astroworld concert on Friday, said he was heartbroken for all those affected by the incident. Drake had performed at the concert along with Scott.
In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Drake wrote, “I’ve spent the past few days trying to wrap my mind around this devastating tragedy. I hate resorting to this platform to express an emotion as delicate as grief but this is where I find myself. My heart is broken for the families and friends of those who lost their lives and for anyone who is suffering. I will continue to pray for all of them, and will be of service any way I can.”
Around 17 people were rushed to the hospital on Friday, of which 11 were in cardiac arrest, while more than 300 people were treated for minor injuries at the site of the tragedy.
Multiple lawsuits were filed against Scott, with Drake and entertainment company Live Nation also mentioned in a few. Among the suits was one filed by the family of a nine-year-old boy who is currently in a medically-induced coma at a Houston hospital after being “trampled nearly to death.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the event’s 56-page operations plan included protocols for various dangerous scenarios, including an active shooter, bomb or terrorist threats, and severe weather, but failed to expand on measures to deal with a crowd surge or stampede.
Addressing a press conference after the incident, Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña told reporters, “The crowd began to compress towards the front of the stage, and that caused some panic, and it started causing some injuries. People began to fall out, become unconscious, and it created additional panic.”
Recommended
Post the tragic incident, Scott took to Twitter and wrote, “I’m absolutely devastated by what took place last night. My prayers go out to the families and all those impacted by what happened at the Astroworld festival. Houston PD has my total support as they look into the tragic loss of life.”
He further announced that he would pay for the funerals of the victims who died, and offered full refunds for the tickets, apart from an online therapy service in partnership with BetterHelp.
While the autopsies of all eight victims have been completed, the cause of death is still under investigation, according to the Houston Chronicle.