One Direction may only be two nights into its Where We Are Tour, but tragedy has already struck the boy band and its insanely devoted Directioners fans. At the April 27 concert in Lima, Peru, nearly 50 children had to be treated for asphyxia after concertgoers pushed forward too much on the barrier, in an attempt to get close to the boy band.
According to Sky News, 47 children between the ages of 12 and 15 had to be treated in emergency tent medical centers after the show on Sunday night for symptoms of asphyxia, or a lack of ability to breathe, after being trampled by overzealous Directions.
One Direction maintained professionalism at the show, despite the scuffles in the crowd. Band member Niall Horan warned fans to get away from the stage and stop pushing one another. “If you don’t want anyone to take us off the stage, make sure you stay back,” he said. Liam Payne joined in the warning, saying “Or we’ll have to go, and we don’t want to go.”
Fortunately for the Peruvian fans and One Direction, nobody was seriously injured at the concert, though hundreds of Directioners had to be evacuated from the stage and balcony area for safety purposes. The band also finished its 23-song set.
Though major tragedy was avoided in Peru, the One Direction incident recalls the problems of general admission seats at major music venues. The most famous occurrence of fans rushing the venue and stage happened in 1979, when 11 fans died before a Who concert in Cincinnati, Ohio.
One Direction will continue its international Where We Are Tour on Wednesday, April 30, in Santiago, Chile. And seriously, Directioners, keep calm out there.
