Travis Scott Astroworld Festival has been cancelled after 8 confirmed deaths from a crowd rush

According to US media reports quoting Houston Fire Chief Samuel Pena, at least eight deaths were verified during the Astroworld Festival in Texas on Saturday. According to the Houston Chronicle, several additional people were hurt during Travis Scott's Friday performance due to a large crowd, and the rapper interrupted his act numerous times to beg security to help fans move out of the crowd.

Officials say at least eight people were killed and many more were injured during the Astroworld Festival in Houston on Friday night.

"We had scores of individuals that were injured," Houston Fire Chief Sam Peña during a news conference early Saturday morning.

The fire chief described the incident as a "mass casualty" situation that began around 9:00-9:15 p.m. local time when the crowd began "to squeeze toward the front of the stage."

According to him, this prompted some fear, which resulted in several injuries.

"People began to fall out, become unconscious and it created additional panic," Peña said.

According to him, the medical examiner is still determining the cause of death. 17 victims were taken to local hospitals, 11 of them were in cardiac arrest, according to Pea. He said one of the patients was ten years old.

More than 300 people were also treated in a field hospital built up near the festival, according to Pea.

According to him, the concert drew around 50,000 people.

Those who attended the performance documented the commotion on social media. Some audience members performed CPR since medical workers were so overwhelmed by the injuries.

Travis Scott paused his act to stare on in disbelief when an ambulance with flashing lights rolled into the venue, according to the Livestream.

Astroworld organisers did not immediately respond to CNN's early Saturday morning request for comment.

According to the event's website, the third annual festival, organised by Scott, was set to take place from Friday to Saturday.

The planned second night, however, has been scrapped, according to officials. SZA, Bad Bunny, and 21 Savage were among the acts scheduled to perform at the festival.

In 2019, three individuals were trampled and taken to the hospital as crowds attempted to get into Scott's hometown festival.