Three individuals were hospitalized after a fire and subsequent crowd surge occurred at the entrance of a music festival in London. The event, known as Ghana Party in the Park or Shattafest UK, took place at Copthall Playing Fields in Barnet. Organizers ended the festivities early on Saturday evening following what they described as a major incident.
Metropolitan Police officials stated that a small fire near the venue gates necessitated a temporary closure. This caused a large group to congregate, leading to a surge when access was restored. While organizers initially attempted to continue operations after clearing the fire, a second surge later in the day resulted in multiple injuries.
Emergency responders, including fire crews and air ambulance staff, provided aid to 23 people at the scene. Nine individuals were assessed by London Ambulance Service personnel, and three were transported to local hospitals. Authorities confirmed their conditions were not life-threatening. The Metropolitan Police noted that officers provided on-site medical assistance, including CPR, and helped manage the crowd. Organizers clarified that there were no fatalities or incidents involving stabbings, contrary to online speculation, and confirmed that the event concluded safely following the early closure.
