Afrobeats singer Asake has said he is ‘praying’ for four fans who are fighting for their lives after his sold-out concert descended into chaos last night.
Concert-goers were accused of trying to force their way into the venue without tickets resulting in a suspected crush.
This morning the Nigerian singer and songwriter said his ‘heart is with those who were injured last night’.
He wrote on Instagram: ‘My heart is with those who were injured last night and caused any form of discomfort. I pray you get well soonest.
“I am also in the process of reaching out to individuals.’
Video footage shows a large crowd had gathered outside the Brixton O2 Academy last night
Police were called to the Brixton O2 Academy on Stockwell Road, south London, at 9.35pm on Thursday following reports that a large number of people were attempting to force entry to a concert without tickets.
When officers arrived outside the scene, where Afrobeats singer Asake was due to play, they found a number of people with ‘injuries believed to have been caused by crushing’.
Eight people were taken to hospital, of which four remain in a critical condition.
No arrests have been made and detectives have launched an urgent investigation, with cordons remaining in place at the O2 Academy this morning.
Asake added that he had still not received a full brief from the venue management themselves as to what led to the disruption at the entrance of The Brixton Academy.
He added: ‘We are thankful that all was peaceful at the end.
‘For my people who enjoyed the beginning of my performance, I am sorry that it was cut short.
‘Thank you for your unbelievable love London. I love you too much! I’m looking forward to seeing you again in a bit!’
The scene outside the Brixton O2 Academy this morning
Emergency services attended the Brixton O2 Academy last night to reports a number of people had been injured
Metropolitan Police officers at the scene in Brixton, south London
Fans were filmed clashing with police outside Brixton’s O2 Academy – with one being forced down stairs and another placed in a headlock after striking an officer in the face.
At least four have been left in a critical condition after suffering ‘crushing injuries’, following what appeared to be a stampede to enter the sold-out show, which was called off.
In footage shared online, dozens of people could be seen barging their way into the narrow entry doors as one reveller is heard saying: ‘This is so dangerous.’
In another clip, hundreds of people are seen packed like sardines in an alleyway adjacent to the venue.
Video footage shows a large crowd outside the gig venue, where Afrobeats singer Asake was set to perform
Meanwhile, a video shared on TikTok captured the moment Asake told his fans that ‘3,000 people have broken the door outside’.
In the video, he said: ‘Because of security police have asked us to close the show. We apologise to you, this is nothing to do with us or the promoter. This is basically… listen to what I am saying.’
He then passes the mic over and fans are told to ‘leave the same way you came in’ and promised that they will be given a refund on their purchased ticket.
In other video content, the crowd inside the venue can be heard booing when an announcement was made from the stage saying the show was being closed.
Nigerian singer Asake has broken his silence after last night’s suspected crush.
He wrote on Instagram: ‘My heart is with those who were injured last night and caused any form of discomfort. I pray you get well soonest.
‘I am also in the process of reaching out to individuals. I still do not have the full brief from the venue management themselves as to what led to the disruption at the entrance of The Brixton Academy, but we are thankful that all was peaceful at the end.
‘For my people who enjoyed the beginning of my performance, I am sorry that it was cut short. Thank you for your unbelievable love London. I love you too much! I’m looking forward to seeing you again in a bit!’
The gig, which saw Asake touring his debut album Mr. Money With The Vibe, was abandoned part-way through.
It was the final of three sold-out shows the Nigerian singer, who had the break-out hit Lady in 2020, had performed at the Brixton music venue, which has a standing capacity of 5,000 people.
On Sunday, the musician tweeted fans to ask them not to come to the O2 Academy if they did not have a ticket, adding it was sold out and no tickets were being sold on the door.
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Asake asked fans on Sunday not to attend if they did not have a ticket, adding that none were for sale on the door
Areal view of the Brixton O2 Academy shows the scene after a suspected crush last night
Police officers outside the Brixton O2 Academy last night
Police were called to reports of a large crowd attempting to force entry into a concert without tickets
The scene outside the Brixton O2 Academy this morning
Met Police gold commander Ade Adelekan described the incident as ‘extremely distressing’ and urged any witnesses who are yet to speak with police to get in contact.
Mr Adelekan added: ‘I am aware of video being shared on social media. I would ask people to be sensible about what they share, and not to post material that will be upsetting to those affected by this incident.
‘Where force has been used by police officers, those officers know they have to be accountable for their actions. The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards will view all material, including Body Worn Video footage from the officers at the scene.
‘In relation to a clip being widely shared, I can confirm that no police dogs were deployed to the location.’
DID YOU WITNESS THE CHAOTIC SCENES OUTSIDE ASAKE’S GIG? Email [email protected]
Moment a music fan is confronted by police outside the O2 Academy in Brixton on Thursday night
Moment a woman strikes a police officer in the face outside the O2 Academy in Brixton on Thursday night
The person who tweeted the video claimed: ‘So the police have locked off Asake and have left a bunch of people in an alley in the freezing cold.’
Elsewhere, a woman is seen in a confrontation with a Metropolitan Police officer. She is quickly swarmed by four other officers as she is taken to the ground.
Another shocking video shows a woman arguing with an officer at the top of a concrete set of stairs at the front of the venue, before she is thrown down them by the policeman.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted to say he was ‘heartbroken’, and that his ‘thoughts are with all those affected by the awful incident at Brixton Academy’.
MailOnline has contacted Asake’s reps and the O2 Academy for further comment.
The London Ambulance Service said that they were called to the Brixton 02 Academy at 10.06pm.
10 people were treated at the scene, eight of those were taken to hospital and two were discharged.
Nigerian star Asake’s (pictured) concert descended into chaos last night after fans were filmed clashing with police outside Brixton’s O2 Academy
Police engage with music fans outside the O2 Academy in Brixton following chaotic scenes on Thursday
A woman is tackled to the ground after seemingly hitting a police officer in the face outside Asake’s concert in Brixton on Thursday night
Asake had earlier posted on his Instagram story that the event was sold out (pictured)
Lambeth Police said: ‘Emergency services attended the O2 Academy in Brixton following reports that a number of people had been injured after a large crowd attempted to enter without tickets.
‘Four people are in a critical condition at hospital. Officers will remain in the area to provide reassurance.’
Any witnesses who are yet to speak with police are asked to call 101 ref 6725/15Dec.
Anyone with mobile phone footage that may assist police, are also asked to contact @MetCC on Twitter.
