What began as a celebration of hip-hop and Houston culture quickly descended into chaos on November 5, 2021, when Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival ended in one of the most tragic live music disasters in U.S. history. Ten people died, over 300 were injured, and the world began asking: What went wrong?
Now, the Netflix documentary Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy seeks to provide answers, drawing from eyewitness accounts, expert testimony, and newly released footage from that night.
What Was the Astroworld Festival?
Launched in 2018 by rapper Travis Scott, the Astroworld Festival was an annual two-day event held at NRG Park in Houston, Texas. Named after his third studio album and a now-defunct theme park, the festival was a tribute to Scott’s hometown and artistic roots.
By 2021, the event had become a major cultural phenomenon, selling out in under 30 minutes and featuring high-profile performers like Tame Impala, SZA, and Bad Bunny. Two massive stages — Thrills and Chills — were set up to host the artists, with Scott headlining on the main stage.
What Happened on the Night of the Tragedy?
With 50,000 attendees present, issues began early in the day, with reports of fans rushing barricades and gates by 2 p.m. Still, the worst unfolded after 9 p.m., when Scott took the stage.
A crowd surge caused mass panic, compressing thousands of people together. Victims were unable to breathe or escape, resulting in what experts called “compression asphyxia.”
Festivalgoer Ayden Cruz described climbing up to a cameraman to plead for the show to stop. Despite visible distress in the crowd and Scott pausing a few times to highlight unconscious fans, the concert continued for nearly 40 minutes after a mass casualty event was officially declared at 9:38 p.m.
The Victims of Astroworld
Ten people tragically lost their lives, ranging in age from 9 to 27 years old. Hundreds more suffered physical and emotional trauma. All deaths were ruled as caused by compression asphyxia.
The names of the deceased are:
Unisex Hoodie
Kasongo Men’s Slides
Adidas Dad Hat (Virgo Edition)
Men’s Slip-On Canvas Shoes
Case for AirPods®
Unisex Sweatshirt
Africa Glass Jar Soy Wax Candle
Unisex Sweatshirt
Eco Tote Bag
Tote Bag
Tough Case for iPhone®
- Axel Acosta Avila, 21
- Danish Baig, 27
- Ezra Blount, 9
- Madison Dubiski, 23
- John Hilgert, 14
- Jacob Jurinek, 20
- Franco Patino, 21
- Rodolfo Peña, 23
- Brianna Rodriguez, 16
- Bharti Shahani, 22
Who Was Held Responsible?
Travis Scott issued a statement saying he was “absolutely devastated” and unaware of the extent of the chaos during the performance. Critics, however, questioned why the show was not stopped earlier. His partner at the time, Kylie Jenner, deleted posts from the festival and expressed condolences.
A Texas task force later criticized event organizers, particularly Live Nation, for inadequate crowd control measures and poorly trained security. Internal emails revealed concerns over crowd size and stage configuration well before the event.
Despite multiple lawsuits, a Texas grand jury in 2023 declined to file criminal charges against Scott or others involved, concluding that no single person bore criminal responsibility.
Aftermath and Impact
The 2021 Astroworld Festival was permanently canceled, and Scott has not hosted a similar event since. In 2023, he told GQ that he continues to process the pain, saying:
“I go through things like everyone else… every day I want to find change in the things, to make things better, make myself better.”
Scott has since launched Project HEAL, an initiative to promote mental health resources, youth programs, and enhanced safety protocols at large-scale events.
By June 2024, all 10 wrongful death lawsuits had been settled privately for undisclosed amounts by Scott, Live Nation, and other defendants.
Why the Netflix Docuseries Matters
Netflix’s Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy explores the human stories behind the headlines — speaking with survivors, emergency responders, and experts to dissect how an event meant to bring joy turned into a nightmare.
The series highlights systemic failures in event planning, emergency response, and artist accountability — offering a sobering look at what must change to prevent another tragedy.
