The Met Police have issued a brand new attraction following two deaths brought on by a crowd crush ultimately month’s Asake gig on the O2 Academy Brixton.
The incident occurred when individuals who had been exterior the venue had been capable of pressure their manner in to the present, resulting in overcrowding and the gig being cancelled half manner by means of.
Rebecca Ikumelo, aged 33, died in hospital on December 17, whereas Gaby Hutchinson, 23, died on December 19. A 3rd attendee, aged 21, stays in hospital in a crucial situation.
On 22 December, it was reported that Brixton Academy’s licence might be briefly suspended after the incident, with the venue later ordered to stay shut till January 16.
Detective Superintendent Dave Kennett, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, mentioned in a press release on Friday (December 30): “A group of detectives with experience in complicated investigations is working to ascertain precisely what occurred earlier than and through this incident.”
“We all know there have been hundreds of individuals in and across the venue,” he continued. “A lot of them may have seen what occurred and a few might have been caught up within the crush themselves. What they’ve to inform us is admittedly necessary and we’re urging them to come back ahead.
“As a part of the investigation we’re finishing up a complete evaluation of any obtainable CCTV footage. Nevertheless we’re additionally very eager to acquire and look at every other footage filmed on the evening.”
▶️ Have been you on the O2 Brixton Academy for the Asake live performance on Thursday 15 December?
▶️ Did you see or had been you caught up within the crushing incident? Did you movie or take images?
▶️ Officers actually need to hear from you. Please get in contact. Particulars under:https://t.co/TuDHHb0Lp5
— Lambeth Police | Central South BCU (@LambethMPS) December 30, 2022
Kennett added: “We all know from some movies shared on social media instantly after the incident that there have been many individuals caught up within the crowds exterior, within the entrances and within the atrium of the venue. A few of these folks had their telephones out and had been probably filming or taking images.
“That footage or these photographs may embody element that may assist us to raised piece collectively precisely what passed off and why. Two folks have died and a 3rd remains to be very significantly injured and we owe it to them, their households and anybody else affected by this incident to do depart no stone unturned.”
The police have referred to as for anybody with data that might probably assist the case to come back ahead and have arrange an on-line portal for folks to submit data, photographs or footage. They estimate that there have been round 4,000 witnesses current on the time of the incident.
The venue mentioned they “proceed to be devastated by this tragic state of affairs and are absolutely supporting the continuing investigation”.