The incident occurred at around 9:30 p.m. local time, as Scott was performing the last few songs of his set. The crowd began to surge toward the stage, causing people to panic and fall. Many were trampled or crushed, and some even lost consciousness.
Authorities quickly halted the concert and began to evacuate the area. The Houston Fire Department and other emergency crews responded to the scene and transported dozens of people to area hospitals.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, questions are being raised about the safety measures that were in place at the festival. Some witnesses have alleged that the crowd was overcrowded, and that there was not enough security personnel on hand to control the situation. Others have criticized Scott for continuing to perform even as the crowd was becoming more chaotic.
The Astroworld Festival, which is presented by Scott and his record label, Cactus Jack Records, has been held at NRG Park in Houston since 2018. The event has consistently drawn large crowds, and this year's festival was expected to attract more than 50,000 people.
In a statement released on Saturday morning, Scott said he was "heartbroken" by the events of the previous night. "My prayers go out to the families and all those affected by what happened at Astroworld Festival," he wrote. "I am committed to working together with the Houston Police Department to get to the bottom of this tragic event."