Mother Of Two Killed, Two Others Critically Injured, In Crowd Surge At Asake Concert

A woman was killed, and two others were critically injured after a large crowd of people without tickets tried to force their way into an Afrobeat concert at London’s O2 Academy music hall in Brixton on Thursday. 

Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, succumbed to her injuries in a hospital on Saturday, two days after the incident occurred. According to the BBC, the mother of two was described by her family as caring and kind.

The Asake concert had to be shut down halfway through the Nigerian singer’s set after a large number of people without tickets forced their way into the venue. The group was able to break through the doors and make their way inside. 

In total, eight people were taken to the hospital. Four people were initially listed in critical condition, with a 22- and 23-year-old still listed as critical. One person was moved into a more stable state, while Ikumelo tragically passed away. An autopsy is scheduled for Sunday. 

Asake issued a statement about the incident on Twitter, sending his condolences to Ikumelo’s family.

“I am devastated by the news that Rebecca Ikumelo who was in a critical condition since Thursday has sadly passed away,” he wrote. “My sincerest condolences to her loved ones at this time.”

He continued, “I am overwhelmed with grief and could never have imagined anything like this happening.”

Asake explained that he and his team are awaiting a full debrief from the venue and the Metropolitan Police. He encouraged his fans to come forward if they had any information about the crowd surge. 

💔 pic.twitter.com/ne110ugRFb

— ASAKE (@asakemusik) December 17, 2022

Met Police have established an online page where evidence such as photos and videos can be submitted. A woman seen assaulting an officer has already been arrested based on submissions to the site.