{"id":1266715,"date":"2022-12-17T17:08:19","date_gmt":"2022-12-17T17:08:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/12\/17\/brixton-academy-woman-dies-after-asake-concert-crush\/"},"modified":"2022-12-17T17:08:19","modified_gmt":"2022-12-17T17:08:19","slug":"brixton-academy-woman-dies-after-asake-concert-crush","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/12\/17\/brixton-academy-woman-dies-after-asake-concert-crush\/","title":{"rendered":"Brixton Academy: Woman dies after Asake concert crush"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A woman has died after being injured in a crush at a gig at London\u2019s Brixton O2 Academy that left several others hurt.<\/p>\n

The concert, by Afro-pop singer Asake, had to be abandoned part-way through after a \u201clarge number of people\u201d tried to force their way inside on Thursday, the Met Police said.<\/p>\n

Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, from Newham, east London, died in hospital on Saturday morning, the Met said.<\/p>\n

Two other women aged 21 and 23 remain in a critical condition, police added.<\/p>\n

Asake said he was \u201coverwhelmed with grief\u201d and \u201cdevastated\u201d by her death.<\/p>\n

The artist said he had spoken with Ms Ikumelo\u2019s family and asked people to \u201ckeep them in our prayers\u201d.<\/p>\n

Academy Group, which owns and runs the venue, said in a statement: \u201cAll at O2 Academy Brixton and Academy Group are deeply saddened by the news of the tragic death of Rebecca Ikumelo.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe send our heartfelt condolences to Rebecca\u2019s family and friends, and our thoughts are with everyone affected by this devastating news at this extremely difficult time.\u201d<\/p>\n

London Mayor Sadiq Khan also wrote in a tweet he was \u201cheartbroken\u201d<\/a> by the death.<\/p>\n

He said it was \u201cvital that the investigation into what happened concludes as soon as possible\u201d and added that City Hall was working with authorities \u201cto ensure nothing like this happens again\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"Still
Image caption, The Met Police said more than 4,000 people were at the gig and have urged witnesses to contact officers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Videos on social media showed the crowd stretching from the road outside to the venue\u2019s doors.<\/p>\n

Speaking at the scene on Friday, Ch Supt Colin Wingrove said: \u201cI\u2019d like to extend my sympathies to all those who have been affected.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving seen some of the really upsetting images on social media our thoughts are with them,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

The force said more than 4,000 people were in attendance at the gig and it has set up a website for people to submit relevant photos and videos.<\/p>\n

In a statement outside Brixton police station on Friday afternoon, Mr Wingrove said officers were called by staff at the venue \u201cfollowing reports that a large number of people were attempting to force entry\u201d.<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cSome officers provided first aid and CPR to members of the public in order to save life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Florence Eshalomi, Labour MP for Vauxhall whose constituency includes Brixton, tweeted on Saturday<\/a>: \u201cI visited the site this morning and I\u2019ve been dreading this news ever since the incident and hoping it would never never come.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy thoughts and prayers to Rebecca Ikumelo\u2019s family and friends. Such a tragic loss of a young 33yr with so much life ahead of her.\u201d<\/p>\n

The first officers were reported to be on the scene at 21:11 GMT, seven minutes after they were called.<\/p>\n

\"Asake\"
Image caption, The concert was the final performance of three sold-out shows at the venue by singer Asake<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The concert was the final performance of three sold-out shows at the venue by Nigerian singer Asake, sometimes known as Mr Money.<\/p>\n

Before the gig, he had posted on Twitter asking fans not to try to gain entry unless they had tickets.<\/p>\n

In a statement published on Twitter<\/a> on Saturday, Asake said: \u201cI am overwhelmed with grief and could never have imagined anything like this happening.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy team and I are still awaiting the full debrief back from the venue management and the police to determine what exactly led to all the disruption caused and ultimately to Rebecca\u2019s passing.\u201d<\/p>\n

He urged anyone with information to contact police.<\/p>\n

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