Local officials stated that at least eight people were killed in a stampede and many others were injured in a stampede on the opening night of the Astroworld festival in Houston, Texas, on Friday (November 5).

Houston Fire Chief Samuel Pena confirmed the death toll at an early morning press conference outside NRG Park, where the festival was held.

Peña said that the stampede occurred at around 9 or 9:15 in the evening: "The crowd began to rush towards the front of the stage, causing panic and starting to cause some injuries."

Peña said that the fire department sent 17 people to the hospital, 11 of whom had a heart attack.

"Houston Chronicle" reported that when the rapper Travis Scott performed, the audience was surging and crowded.

The newspaper said that 50,000 people participated in the two-day event. The event on the second day of the festival has been cancelled.