Hundreds of terrified young fans were crushed and nearly fifty needed medical treatment as One Direction's world tour kicked off in Peru on Sunday.
The stunned five-piece pleaded with fans to calm down as they witnessed the crowd push towards the stage in a bid to get as close to the boyband as possible.
The unexpected surge forced Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson to stop performing and threaten to walk off stage - but their pleas fell on deaf ears.
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Stop! The unexpected surge forced Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson to halt performing and threaten to walk off stage but their pleas fell on deaf ears as fans were left injured
Big time: One Direction played one of their biggest shows to date on Friday
Of those fans who were hurt, it's not clear just how serious the injuries were, but local reports suggest several people are still being treated for symptoms of asphyxia - abnormal breathing as a result of a severely deficient supply of oxygen entering the body.
Following the incident, tents were used as emergency pop-up treatment centres and an additional evacuation plan was put in place by the head of Peru's volunteer fire service, Mario Cassareto.
He told Peruvian radio: 'We treated 47 children with the first stages of asphyxia. Everything is under control. We have nothing to be ashamed of, we've handled the situation well.'
Incredible: Liam Payne couldn't quite believe how many fans had come out to see him and the boys in Lima, Peru
He added: 'We put in place a second evacuation plan so that the younger fans were not affected.
'We're working with the police and the security companies [who were contracted for the show], 911 and VIP. It's under control and we are still treating those with symptoms of asphyxia that we pulled from the back.'
A video taken from inside the Estadio Nacional stadium shows singer Niall Horan telling the crowd: 'If you don't want anyone to take us off the stage, make sure you stay back.'
Prior to the surge occurring, Liam had admitted he was struggling to comprehend just how many fans he and the rest of One Direction have.
Let me take a selfie: Liam delighted his fans with a collection of pictures of himself as the tour kicked off
The 20-year-old took to Twitter to show a picture of the thousands of fans who came to their hotel in Lima, Peru as their Where We Are world tour kicked off.
Clearly rather emotional, he wrote: 'I will never understand, and you will never understand what this does to somebody ...why? no one could deserve this.'
Following the first show in Colombia the singer wrote: 'The greatest experience of my life.'
And after the playing in Lima, he added: 'Honestly you guys are gunna set me off again Lima that was an overwhelming experience something I'll remember forever...
Hats off to him: The usually quite private star has just started using Instagram
Wet and wild: Harry shared a picture of himself with his hair down for a change
'It's so crazy I feel like I haven't done enough to deserve that kind of appreciation gunna spend my day in a state of shock love you guys.'
Showing his appreciation he then uploaded a number of selfies of himself lying in bed as he contemplated his life.
On Friday evening the group - made up of Liam, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson - opened their world tour, which will see them deliver 67 dates across the globe.
Proving their boy power credentials, the five young men performed to an estimated 40,000 screaming fans at the El Campin stadium.
Wearing their trademark jeans and T-shirt look, the band looked ecstatic to be on stage - but not nearly as delighted as the fans who had turned up in droves to see them live.
According to reports Niall revealed after ! the show: 'I know Liam will probably be embarrassed by this but he cried a little we were singing You and I.'
Harry was also moved by the experience writing: 'Colombia, thank you so much. You were the perfect way to start a tour. It's been a while and you were incredible. Love.x'
Earlier in the day the boys did a big press conference for South American media, where they said that they were nervous but excited.
Boy power! the guys performed to a sold-out crowd who clearly loved the show
Niall, 21, said: 'I'm a bit nervous at the minute because it's our first show of the tour.
'Because we've known about this tour for like a year we've been really excited so it's all going to come out tonight. We're going to have a good time.
'We rehearsed in the venue yesterday and you can feel the adrenaline running through.'
He's got style: One Direction's Harry Styles was on good form during last night's performance
Harry also discussed how his parents have reacted to his rise to fame.
He said: 'I think with parents when they grow up they probably have a thing they were a fan of. I think they can relate to how their children feel. They get to relive it through their kids, which is quite nice.
'I think we put on a show where the parents come and enjoy it and they might not even be a fan of the music but they would say they've seen a good show.'
Success: The chart-toppers have enjoyed increasing global success since their X factor debut
Crowd pleasers: Thousands of fans gathered to see glimpse of their idols in the flesh
Unsurprisingly, the crowd reaction was electric, not least because fans have been waiting so long for the band to visit their country.
Together, the band delivered their biggest hits to date including Story Of My Life and Live While We're Young.
Immediately after the show the band flew straight to Peru for the next show. The epic Were We Are tour then opens in Europe in Croke Park Ireland on 23 May before landing in London's Wembley Stadium on 6 June.
Looking good: Zayn cut a rock-n-roll figure as he took to the stage
Going live: One Direction also played their own instruments on the tour
FAN-tastic: The band's fans are known for being fiercely loyal across the globe
ONE DIRECTION'S SETLIST
Midnight Memories
Little Black Dress
Kiss You
Why Don't We Go There
Rock Me
Don't Forget Where You Belong
Live While We're Young
C'mon C'mon
Right Now
Through The Dark
Happily
Lit! tle Things
Moments
Strong
Better Than Words
Alive
One Thing
Diana
What Makes You Beautiful
You & I
Story of My Life
Little White Lies
Best Song Ever
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Source : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2615063/Hundreds-One-Direction-fans-crushed-injured-frantic-surge-stage-Peru-concert.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
