The 'Sicko Mode' rapper says he 'could just never understand the severity of the situation' after eight people died and hundreds were injured at his music festival.
- Nov 8, 2021
AceShowbiz - Rapper Travis Scott had no idea people were dying during his "Astroworld" show on Friday (06Nov21).
At least eight people died during the event at NRG Park in Houston, Texas, Scott's hometown, with many more injured.
Seven of the victims have been identified, ranging in age from 14 to 27. A 16 year old was also among those who died. Houston medical chiefs have also released an image of a body they have not yet been able to identify.
At least 25 concertgoers were transported to the hospital, and 13 of them remained there on Saturday, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner told CNN. Five of them are under the age of 18, with reports one is as young as 10.
The "Sicko Mode" star took to Twitter early on Saturday to share he was "absolutely devastated" over the tragedy and later that day shared a video to Instagram in which he insisted he had no idea what was happening in the audience during the first day of the sold-out event.
"I'm honestly just devastated," Scott said in the clip as he sighed and rubbed his eyes and forehead in the black-and-white clip, in which he responds to criticism that he should have stopped the show.
"Anytime I could make out, you know, anything that's going on, you know I stop the show and, you know, help them get the help they need."
"My fans really mean the world to me. I always just want to leave them with a positive experience. I could just never understand the severity of the situation."
"Everybody continue to keep your prayers. I mean, I'm honestly just devastated and I could never imagine anything like this happening. I'm going to do everything I can to keep you guys updated and keep you guys informed of what's going on. Love you all."
According to The Independent, Scott can be seen in livestreamed footage attempting to stop his concert several times, telling the crowd to make space for a person who was unconscious.
"We need somebody to help, somebody's passed out right here. Hold on - don't touch him, don't touch him. Everybody just back up... come on, come on, security, get in there," the rapper says in the clip.
Houston police officials, meanwhile, are reviewing footage of the concert and also trying to identify a person who reportedly stabbed one security officer in the neck with a needle containing an unknown substance.
"When he was examined, he went unconscious. They administered Narcan," Houston Police Chief Troy Finner explained on Saturday, referring to the drug that is used to treat narcotic overdoses.
"He was revived, and the medical staff did notice a prick similar to what you would get if somebody was trying to inject (him)."
