IN SUMMARY
- Nigerian singer Asake’s last show in London turns chaotic
- The concert was called off by authorities
- No arrest has been made so far
Nigerian singer Asake’s last show in London has ended up in chaos and running battles as thousands of fans forcefully tried to brake into the venue at O2 Academy in Brixton, South London leading to a serious stampede.
According to police reports, the singer had started performing before a large number of fans forcefully stormed the venue and breached the security .
Several injuries were reported in the stampede, four sustained serious injuries and were rushed to hospital for further medical checkups, the Metropolitan Police said
Officers, ambulance crews and fire brigade responders arrived to find numerous people with injuries.
Eight people were taken to hospital by ambulance while two “less seriously injured” were treated at the scene as reported by NDTV.
Police report
“Detectives are investigating the circumstances which led to the stampede” the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.
Commander Ade Adelekan called the incident “extremely upsetting” and vowed an investigation “as thorough and as forensic as necessary to establish exactly what happened”.
He added that specialist officers will examine the scene and security camera footage, but appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
The incident occurred during the last of three sold-out performances at the very loud venue — which was established in 1929 — by singer-songwriter Asake.
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Reports said an irate crowd was told that up to 3,000 people had tried to break through the doors, with some succeeding, and that police had ordered the show to stop.
Video clips posted on social media and featured on newspaper websites appeared to show packed crowds pushing up against the doors of the 02 Academy, as well as violent scuffles in the foyer.
It was unclear who was involved in the clashes, but Adelekan noted that “where force has been used by police officers, those officers know they have to be accountable for their actions”.
He said the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards, a policing watchdog, will view all material, including body-worn video footage from officers at the scene.
Asake said in a statement posted on Instagram that he did not yet have “the full brief from the venue management themselves as to what led to the disruption”.
“But we are thankful that all was peaceful at the end,” he added, apologising to attendees that the concert was cut short. Several clips showed the moment fans broke into the O2, caused a stampede and chaos, and even got to physically assaulting one another.
Asake noted that “He is with those who were injured last night and caused any form of discomfort”, and that he was “in the process of reaching out” to those individuals.
London Mayor, Sadiq Khan reacted to the stampede
In a tweet shared on his official Twitter handle, Khan said an urgent investigation is underway. The mayor who disclosed that he is heartbroken over the incident, urged anyone with information on the sad incident to contact the police.
“My thoughts are with all those affected by the awful incident at Brixton Academy. Eight people were taken to the hospital, with four in critical condition.
“An urgent investigation is underway 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.
“I won’t rest until we have the answers their loved ones and the local community need and deserve.”
