A suspected crush during a concert at the Brixton O2 Academy in south London has left eight people in hospital, with four in a critical condition.
Police were called there at 21:35 GMT on Thursday, during the gig by afro-pop singer Asake.
Officers were responding to reports of a large number of people trying to force their way into the venue.
A number of people were found with injuries believed to have been caused by crushing, police said.
The gig was abandoned part-way through. It was the third of three sold-out shows the Nigerian singer, sometimes known as Mr Money, had performed in Brixton.
Social media footage shows a large crowd building up outside the venue, with one person claiming on Twitter that more than 1,000 people had turned up without tickets. In the footage, the crowd can be seen stretching from the road outside to the venue doors, with people screaming, shouting and struggling.
The O2 Academy Brixton has a standing capacity of up to almost 5,000 people, according to its website.
BBC reporter Harry Low, who is outside the venue, says the Academy is opposite Brixton police station, partly explaining the swift police response last night.
He described there being plenty of officers here in the icy first-morning light.
Underneath a “sold out” sign, the metal railings scattered across the pavement bear testament to what he says must have been a chaotic scene.
Cdr Ade Adelekan from the Metropolitan Police said the scene will be examined by specialist officers as part of an investigation which will be “as thorough and as forensic as necessary”.
He 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.”
The Met’s directorate of professional standards will view all material, including body-worn video footage from the officers at the scene, Scotland Yard said.
An investigation has been launched and cordons remain in place at the venue on Stockwell Road. No arrests have been made.
‘Breakout star’
Asake, whose real name is Ahmed Ololade, was nominated for BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2023 award.
He had been described on the venue’s website as “one of the hottest breakout stars from Nigeria” and is touring his debut album, Mr. Money With The Vibe.
Born and raised in Lagos State, his songs are part of the Nigerian street-pop subgenre that blends Afrobeats with Amapiano, pop melodies and street-smart rap lyrics.
He had a break-out hit in 2020 with his single Lady.
-BBC
