MANILA, Philippines - The ASEAN music festival held in Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati was cancelled late Tuesday evening due to overcrowding.
"For reasons of public safety, the organizers have decided to stop the show," Police said in a televised report. "As of now people are already leaving the venue to go home. Organizers are very sorry for the inconvenience."
Attendees of the free concert tweeted photos and videos of the huge crowd present at the small venue.
Twitter user Leann Magimot, a senior high school student, described people trying to cause a stampede and also throwing chairs.
"During one of the songs of Parokya ni Edgar. People just went wild, there was a barrier separating the rest of the crowd from the ones who are seated," Magimot said in an online interview with Philstar.com.
"When one got in, everybody followed and rushed to the stage. A camera operator standing on his elevated platform even fell down with his camera while this was happening," Magimot said.
Magimot said that people carried the chairs to get them out of the way but others were throwing the chairs.
"Some of the chairs were being thrown and not passed appropriately. Everybody was just pushing and shoving each other side to side just to get enough space to get out of the area," Magimot added.
PSA: ASEAN MUSIC FESTIVAL AT THE AYALA TRIANGLE IS SEROUSLY UNSAFE IF YOU HAVE ANY PLANS OF STILL GOING THERE PLEASE DON'T!!! pic.twitter.com/gCKCJV9bXU
— le/ann (@htmleann) November 14, 2017
I'M GLAD I GOT OUT OF THAT HELLHOLE. IT WAS JUST THE FIRST ACT BUT PEOPLE ARE ALREADY TRYING TO CAUSE A STAMPEDE. PEOPLE THROWING CHAIRS. pic.twitter.com/qcm35CYH2H
— le/ann (@htmleann) November 14, 2017
One of the musicians set to perform is The Ransom Collective.
To those here or on their way to the ASEAN Music Festival- the venue is overwhelmed by the crowd size. Please avoid the area until an official statement is released from the organizer. Stay safe, everyone!!
— TheRansomCollective (@TheRansomCMusic) November 14, 2017
Other musicians set to perform in the concert are Parokya Ni Edgar, Franco, Silent Sanctuary, Ben&Ben, and Sandwich. -Matikas Santos