What to Know
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Organizers now say the popping sound of someone stepping on a bottle sparked panic in the crowd at the Global Citizen Festival[hhmc]
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Originally, police had said a falling security barrier caused the chaos at the huge Central Park concert [hhmc]
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About 60,000 people filled the Great Lawn for the festival and several were hurt in the chaos [hhmc]
Someone stepped on a bottle which made a popping sound that spooked attendees of the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park, organizers said.
Police originally said a falling barricade caused the panic in the crowd of about 60,000 people on Saturday night.
But on Sunday, Hugh Evans, the CEO of the festival, said the initial scare began when someone stepped on and popped a drink bottle or bottles. Others thought it sounded like gunshots, he said.
As people hurried toward the exits, some were injured, Evans said.
"We regret that this incident marred an otherwise impactful event," Evans said.
In the chaotic moments, Coldplay's Chris Martin came on the stage to calm the crowd.
"Nobody is trying to hurt anybody," Martin said. "You're all safe, OK?"
The show continued minutes later with Cynthia Erivo singing "A Bridge Over Troubled Water." Then the show was halted again while police re-established the security infrastructure.
Some people weren't able to get back in the park to see the rest of the concert, Evans said.
"For that, we apologize," he said.
Many people lost their bags and purses in the chaos and police set up a lost and found at the precinct on 86th Street and Transverse Road.
About 60,000 people filled the Great Lawn for the Global Citizen Festival. Performers included Cardi B, The Weeknd and Janet Jackson.
There were NO SHOTS FIRED at #GlobalCitizenFestival. The sound was a fallen barrier. @NYPDCentralPark@GlblCtzn
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) September 29, 2018
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NBC
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