At a concert featuring Nigerian singer and songwriter Ahmed Ololade, known as Asake, an emergency stampede occurred inside the O2 Academy Brixton venue in south London. Eight people were injured, with four described as seriously hurt, prompting an urgent police response as the event unfolded late Thursday evening.
Authorities confirmed that police attended the Brixton venue around 21:30 local time as the performance by the artist entered its early stages. The incident involved a large crowd pushing toward the doors in an attempt to enter the hall, with reports indicating a crush and chaotic conditions that led to injuries and disruption of the show.
Images circulating on social media depicted a dense queue outside the venue, with onlookers shouting and several individuals seemingly struggling to gain access. Those posts suggested a significant number of attendees without tickets were among the crowd, a figure that has been echoed in reports from major outlets. The scale of the gathering, at times described as chaotic, raised immediate concerns about safety and crowd control.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with metal barriers and other debris seen on the pavement as security personnel and police managed the situation in the early hours of Friday. In the aftermath, law enforcement officials spoke of a thorough investigation to understand the sequence of events and determine what actions should be taken to prevent a recurrence.
London’s Metropolitan Police issued a statement expressing concern for those affected and emphasizing that their inquiry would be comprehensive and forensic as necessary. The force did not disclose any arrests at that stage, stressing that the investigation remains active as officers gather evidence and interview witnesses.
Ahmed Ololade, who performs under the stage name Asake, is performing as part of a tour in support of his debut album titled Money With The Vibe. The concert was halted roughly ten minutes after the doors opened, when organizers announced the decision to pause the show following the security breach at the exits.
One organizer told a major British newspaper that approximately 3,000 people forced their way past the outer doors, prompting security and police to advise ending the performance for safety reasons. The organizer emphasized that the decision was made solely on safety concerns and not on any other factor related to the event or the artist.
Following the incident, Asake issued a statement on his official social media accounts. He expressed concern for everyone affected, extended best wishes to the injured and their families, and noted that a complete management report had not yet been completed. He also referenced the interruption of the Brixton venue and pledged to share more information as it becomes available and appropriate to disclose.