A crowd crush occurred at a music festival in north London, resulting in at least 23 injuries. The incident happened at Ghana Party in the Park, an event celebrating Ghanaian culture.
The festival was abruptly cancelled after a small fire broke out near the entrance, causing a build-up of excited festival-goers. When the gates reopened, numerous people crammed into the park, and some tripped over, becoming trapped under the surge of the crowd as guards tried to pull them free.
Organisers cancelled the event, citing health and safety concerns. They stressed that no stabbing or deaths occurred during the crush, and wished those who sustained injuries a speedy recovery.
The event was supposed to be a night of celebration, with Ghanaian Reggae-Dancehall artist Shatta Wale set to headline. Wale expressed his disappointment at the event's ending, stating that what was meant to be a night of joy had become a moment of pain.
Police officers and event organisers worked together to form a barrier between the surging crowds and people on the floor, providing initial medical care to those who had sustained injuries.
The ambulance service treated multiple patients at the scene before conveying three patients to hospital. Ghana Party in the Park is an annual outdoor festival that has been running since 2005, attracting 10,000 people every year.
The festival is described as a vibrant cultural experience that brings people together to celebrate Ghanaian heritage. Organisers expressed their commitment to prioritising health and safety, and are working to ensure that the incident is thoroughly investigated.
