Organizers of a London festival have issued an apology after multiple individuals were injured in a crush incident. Disturbing videos circulating on social media captured guests at the Ghana Party in the Park event in Barnet, north London, struggling to escape a surge in the crowd, with some falling and others panicking.
While three people were hospitalized, additional attendees suffered minor injuries. The festival organizers expressed deep regret over the distressing scenes and acknowledged the poor organization of the event, with witnesses describing the chaos as “very chaotic.”
In an official statement shared on the festival’s Instagram page, the organizers extended their sympathy to all those affected by the unfortunate events. They offered apologies for the injuries sustained and wished a swift recovery to the victims, pledging support to their families and friends.
Despite social media speculation about a stabbing incident, both the festival and the Metropolitan Police confirmed that such claims were false. Following the crowd surge, the festival ended prematurely for safety reasons, with organizers emphasizing their concern for the injured individuals and their families.
Clarifying misinformation circulating online, the organizers confirmed that no stabbings occurred during the festival and there were no fatalities. An earlier fire incident involving a vendor briefly halted the festivities, but normal operations resumed after the area was deemed safe.
The day’s events culminated in a crowd surge at the festival entrance, resulting in injuries to several attendees. Emergency services promptly responded, leading to the decision to close the festival early in the interest of public safety.
Ghana Party in the Park, a celebration of Ghanaian culture and music that has been running for over two decades, aims to provide a safe and positive environment for participants. This year’s event was held in collaboration with ShattaFest.
Following the incident, the Metropolitan Police in Barnet confirmed the cancellation of the festival due to overcrowding issues at the entrance, which caused non-life-threatening injuries to several people. A total of 23 individuals received assistance from emergency services or the event medical team, with nine assessed by the London Ambulance Service. Three individuals were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening conditions, and the event concluded without further incidents.