Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced plans to form a concert safety task force, following the Astroworld Festival tragedy, which has now claimed nine lives.
Astroworld took place at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas last weekend and eight people originally lost their lives during a crowd surge, as artists Travis Scott and Drake performed on stage. Their ages were 14, 16, 21, 23 and 27.
The same day the concert task force was announced, a ninth ticket holder died following six days in the intensive care unit (ICU).
In response to the events, Governor Abbott has promised that a situation like this will not be allowed to happen again, due to a safety task force that is being set up.
In a statement, Abbott said: “Live music is a source of joy, entertainment, and community for so many Texans – and the last thing concert goers should have to worry about is their safety and security. To ensure that the tragedy that occurred at the Astroworld Festival never happens again, I am forming the Texas Task Force on Concert Safety.
“From crowd control strategies to security measures to addressing controlled substances, this task force will develop meaningful solutions that will keep Texans safe while maximising the joy of live music events. I thank the members of this task force for coming together to work on this important issue.”
The task force will develop solutions to keep attendees safe at concerts held in Texas, and will be led by Texas Music Office director Brendan Anthony. Various organisations will be involved through representatives, including the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, Sheriffs’ Association of Texas, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Municipal Police Association, Texas Police Chiefs Association, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and Texas State Association of Fire Fighters.
Scott and promoters Live Nation, as well as Drake, have also been named in several lawsuits from ticket holders, following the Astroworld Tragedy.
Image: Frank Schwichtenberg/(CC BY-SA 4.0)/Edited for size