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Probes launched, lawsuit filed in Houston stampede

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Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo

(Reuters) — At least two investigations and one civil lawsuit were underway on Sunday into the deadly stampede during rap star Travis Scott's Astroworld music festival that killed at least eight people and injured dozens in Houston.

Two of the victims were teenagers, aged 14 and 16, caught in the crushing surge of the crowd as Mr. Scott continued to perform, completing his set even after noticing fans were receiving medical treatment. Mr. Scott, the headline act and a hometown star who founded the Astroworld festival in 2018, later said he was unaware of the severity of the situation.

Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said his department had opened a criminal investigation by homicide and narcotics detectives, following reports that somebody in the audience had been injecting people with drugs.

One security guard felt a prick on his neck, passed out, and was revived after being injected with Narcan, a drug used to treat opioid overdoses, Mr. Finner said. Several others were treated with Narcan, according to the city's fire chief, Samuel Pena.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo also called for an "objective, independent" investigation of the rap festival attended by 50,000 people.

“Perhaps the plans were inadequate. Perhaps the plans were good but they weren't followed,” she said. “The families of those who died, everybody affected, deserves answers.”

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner also called for a briefing from all the parties including first responders, concert promoter Live Nation and officials of the venue, NRG Park.

The first lawsuit in the case has been filed. Manuel Souza, who suffered “serious bodily injuries” at the show, is seeking at least $1 million in damages from a host of defendants including Mr. Scott and Live Nation, according to a petition filed in Harris County District Court.

Neither Mr. Scott's representatives nor Live Nation immediately responded to requests for comment.

The victims were killed near the stage when the crowd surged forward, with some suffering cardiac arrests and other medical trauma, officials said.

The dead ranged in age from 14 to 27, with one victim's age to be determined, Mr. Turner said. Officials had yet to identify them.

The trouble began sometime after 9 p.m. Friday when the crowd compressed near the stage, causing panic, Mr. Pena said. By 9:30 p.m., it was clear people needed medical attention, and Mr. Scott acknowledged an ambulance moving through the crowd, pausing and encouraging the crowd to make room.

But Mr. Scott returned to performing, telling the crowd he wanted to “hear the ground shake.”

At some point concertgoers approached the stage crew and pleaded with them to stop the show, according to social media video.

Mr. Scott finished his set at 9:42 p.m., the Houston Chronicle reported.

The second day of the two-day show was canceled.

Scott, a Grammy-nominated singer and producer, said in a video posted on social media late Saturday: “I could just not imagine the severity of the situation.”