Texas Governor Creates Concert Safety Task Force In Response To Astroworld Deaths

In the wake of the Astroworld disaster, Texas Governor Greg Abbott is taking action to prevent future tragedies by forming a concert safety task force.

The Republican governor announced the committee on Wednesday. It will be made of representatives from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, Texas Municipal Police Association, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Sheriffs’ Association of Texas, and several others. Leaders within the music industry will also be a part of the task force.

The purpose of the unit is to establish “meaningful solutions” to keep concert attendees safe by holding a series of discussions to analyze what went wrong at Astroworld and address crowd control, drug use at large concerts, and other safety matters. Texas Music Office director Brendan Anthony will lead the task force and present a final report with their findings and recommendations. 

“Live music is a source of joy, entertainment, and community for so many Texans – and the last thing concertgoers should have to worry about is their safety and security,” Abbott stated.

Establishing the Texas Task Force on Concert Safety to ensure the tragedy that occurred at Astroworld never happens again. https://t.co/twbd8OeO4N pic.twitter.com/CcoebZg3iy

— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) November 10, 2021

As of now, the death toll for Friday’s catastrophic concert sits at eight, though several other people remain hospitalized, while an estimated over 300 were injured when the crowd surged forward to be closer to the stage, leaving concert go-ers suffocated and trampled. Travis Scott is working closely with the families to cover funeral costs and has teamed up with BetterHelp to offer free therapy to those traumatized by the events. 

A growing number of lawsuits have been filed against the rapper and Live Nation by those injured and those who lost loved ones.