Houston Officials Pick Internal Review of Astroworld Tragedy
November 16, 2021
HOUSTON (AP) — Calls for an independent investigation into what led to 10 deaths at the Astroworld music festival went unheeded Monday, as Houston-area officials instead chose to direct a county administrator to conduct a review with other governmental entities.
County Judge Lina Hidalgo — the top elected official in Harris County, which includes Houston — had proposed a third-party probe of the planning and execution of the festival founded and headlined by rap superstar Travis Scott.
The Harris County administrator instead will work with other city and county entities to review security, fire and other safety plans at the county-owned NRG Park, where the festival was held.
“I hope that it comes back with actionable lessons,” Hidalgo said. “I hope it doesn’t result in something vague or forgotten.”
Other members of Harris County’s governing body, known as a commissioner’s court, were concerned Hidalgo’s investigation could lead to legal liabilities for the county.
Dozens of lawsuits have already been filed over injuries and deaths at the Nov. 5 concert.
For more AP stories on Astroworld: https://apnews.com/hub/astroworld-festival-deaths
Cover image by Alexander Londono on Unsplash.
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