Brixton concert ‘crush’: Police watchdog investigates incident as three women in critical condition | UK News
The police watchdog said it had launched an investigation after it was suspected that there was a flirting during a concert at the O2 Academy Brixton in south London, which left three women fighting for it. their lives.
A total of eight people were taken to hospital with what is believed to be crush injuries following the collision. Thursday night incident at Afrobeat performer Asake.
The three women, aged 21, 23 and 33, remain in a south London hospital in critical condition.
Police said their next of kin have been notified and are being assisted by specialist officers.
In a statement Friday night, Sheriff Colin Wingrove said an “urgent investigation” into the incident was underway.
He said: “I would like to express my sympathies to all those affected by last night’s incident and those who were injured. After seeing some truly heartbreaking images on social media, We sympathize with them.
“This is still a moving and rapidly evolving picture and we are working to establish the events leading up to last night’s incident.”
He said an incident in which an officer “appears to be seen shoving a member of the public” is currently being reviewed by the force’s director of professional standards.
A spokesperson for the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) said it was aware of the incident and added: “We will evaluate the information available, including footage of the incident, to determine further actions may be required.”
Met Police Gold Commander Ade Adelekan said that where officers used force, “those officers knew they were responsible for their actions”.
He added that the Met’s Professional Standards Board would review all documents, including body-worn video footage from those present at the scene.
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Crowds trying to participate in the Asake performance
Lambeth Police and other emergency services were notified to the scene on Stockwell Road just after 9.30pm on Thursday following reports of injuries after “a mob attempted to enter without a ticket”.
Footage posted online shows the crowd outside the building, with many holding up cell phones and filming.
The concert was eventually canceled midway through, with fans of the Nigerian singer saying: “The reason we had to stop the show was because they broke down the door.”
Following the incident, Asake, who was recently nominated for BBC Radio 1’s Sound of the Year award of 2023, said: “hearts are with the wounded” at his concert.
Medical clothing and gloves lie on the floor outside Brixton Academy O2
Labor MP Florence Eshalomi called for an answer to the cause of the suspicion of falling in love and stated that “the ticketing and security procedures were not carried out as they should have been”.
Before the show, Asake posted on Twitter asking fans not to come to the venue unless they have valid tickets.
The concert was the third of three sold-out shows at the 4,921-seat venue and ended a string of UK performances.
