brixton academy
A woman injured in a crush outside a London concert venue has died, police said Saturday (Dec. 17).
London resident Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, was one of eight people hospitalized after being caught in mayhem outside the O2 Brixton Academy on Thursday night, where Nigerian singer Asake was due to perform.
The Metropolitan Police force said she died on Saturday morning. Two other women, aged 21 and 23, remain in critical condition.
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Asake said he was “overwhelmed with grief” at Ikumelo’s death.
“My sincerest condolences to her loved ones at this time. Let us please keep her family in our prayers. I have spoken to them and will continue to do so,” he wrote on Instagram.
The police force said emergency services were called after “a large crowd attempted to gain entry without tickets” and they found people suffering from crush injuries.
It urged people with photos or video of the scene to submit it to help the police investigation.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was “heartbroken” by Ikumelo’s death.
“Rebecca had her whole life ahead of her and on behalf of all Londoners, I would like to extend my condolences to her family, friends and loved ones at this extremely difficult time,” he said.
“My thoughts remain with everyone affected by this dreadful incident. It’s vital that the investigation into what happened concludes as soon as possible.”
The Brixton Academy in south London is one of the city’s most famous music venues. Built as a movie theater in the 1920s, it has a capacity of just under 5,000.
LONDON — A number of people were injured, including four who were taken to hospital with what are described as critical injuries, during an apparent crowd stampede at a concert by Nigerian singer Asake on Thursday (Dec. 16) night at London’s O2 Academy Brixton.
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The Metropolitan Police has launched an urgent investigation into the incident, which is understood to have occurred after a large crowd gathered outside the venue.
In total, eight people were taken by ambulance to hospital to treat injuries “believed to have been caused by crushing,” said the police in a statement. Four of those eight people remain in a critical condition, said officers. Two other less seriously injured people were treated at the scene by ambulance staff.
Police said they were called to the venue, which can hold nearly 5,000 people, at 9.35pm local time following reports that a large number of people were attempting to force entry to the venue.
Videos shared on social media show a chaotic scene with large crowds filling the streets that immediately surround the O2 Academy Brixton.
Some videos appear to show people trying to force their way past security to gain entry to the venue. One witness speaking to the BBC said they estimated that more than 1,000 people had turned up to the gig without tickets.
Before the concert, which was the third of Asake’s three sold out shows at O2 Academy Brixton, the artist had posted a statement on Twitter asking fans not to come to the venue if they didn’t have a valid ticket. “The show is completely sold out and there are no tickets for sale at the venue,” said the statement.
“My heart is with those who were injured last night and caused any form of discomfort,” said Asake, also known as Mr Money, in a statement posted on his Instagram account following Thursday night’s concert, which was abandoned midway through. “I pray you get well soonest.”
This is a developing story.
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