A free concert featuring R&B crooner Akon took a violent turn Wednesday (Feb. 20) as authorities struggled to maintain order among upset fans.
According to Reuters, the violence occurred after a fire alarm was pulled during the show, which took place at the Fields Shopping Mall in Copenhagen.
Some 2,000 to 3,000 people were on hand for the concert and latecomers were turned away at the door, as Fields director Jens Geppel admitted that a larger crowd than expected turned out to see the 34-year-old entertainer.
“It was a free concert and we knew that many people would come, but there were a lot of people there, more than we had expected,” Geppel told Reuters, adding that 1,000 people were let into the concert area of the mall, while others were forced to watch from afar, as Akon started his set.
The fire alarm, which ultimately turned out to be false, sounded during the third song Akon performed.
Soon after, police began evacuating fans, who began protesting. It was at that point that officers fought several dozen disappointed fans who threw bottles and rocks at them after the evacuation.
Police arrested eight people involved in the riot and witnesses told Reuters that emergency services had to treat a number of others injured in the turmoil.
Despite the violence, no serious injuries were reported.
Efforts are currently being made by the Danish mall to analyze what had gone wrong at the show, Geppel said.
