GHANA PARTY IN THE PARK CLOSED AFTER OVERCROWDING INJURES SEVERAL

Ghana Party in the Park, a festival held at Copthall Playing Fields in North London, was closed early on Saturday following a "major incident" in which several people sustained non-life threatening injuries. The Metropolitan Police said the incident stemmed from an overcrowding issue at the festival entrance. Officers from the London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade responded to the scene. Festival organisers confirmed that the decision to close the event "was made solely on the grounds of health and safety."

Reports described people being carried out on stretchers following what one account characterised as a stampede caused by excessive numbers of attendees. The Met Police stated that speculation about a stabbing was inaccurate. Festival organisers issued a statement clarifying that "there were no incidents of stabbing and deaths as being speculated," addressing concerns that had circulated online following the incident.

Organisers said discussions with emergency services and their health and safety team led to agreement that closure was "the safest option in order to protect all attendees." The statement emphasised that "the safety and wellbeing of our attendees, staff, artists, contractors and partners remains our upmost priority." No further details regarding the number of injured or the specific circumstances of the overcrowding were provided.