London: Akwaaba UK, organisers of the Ghana Party in the Park, have denied reports circulating on social media that attendees were stabbed or killed during the ShattaFest event. This comes after reports of a stampede that forced the event to end early.
According to Ghana Web, Akwaaba UK issued a statement on August 1, 2026, describing the claims of stabbing and other fatalities as false. “We can confirm that there were no stabbing incidents at the festival and no fatalities occurred. Any reports suggesting otherwise are false and do not reflect the facts as they are currently known,” the statement said.
The organisers revealed that the day was first disrupted by a fire caused by a vendor, prompting a temporary suspension of activities while the London Fire Brigade, emergency services, and the festival’s safety team brought the situation under control. Once the incident was addressed and the affected area declared safe, normal event operations resumed.
However, later in the day, a crowd surge at the festival entrance left several people injured, prompting an immediate response from the Metropolitan Police, London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade, and London’s Air Ambulance. Following discussions with the emergency services and the events management company, the difficult decision was taken to bring the festival to an early close in the interests of public safety.
In response to social media videos and eyewitness accounts of some chaotic scenes, the organisers confirmed that several people sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the incident. They expressed gratitude to the emergency services, security personnel, medical teams, and volunteers for their swift response, while apologising to those affected.
“For more than twenty years, Ghana Party in the Park has celebrated Ghanaian culture, music, and community in a safe and positive environment,” the statement added, noting that this year’s edition was held in conjunction with ShattaFest. Akwaaba UK said it would continue working closely with the relevant authorities to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and promised to keep the public updated as investigations continue.