The Chainsmokers’ San Jose Concert Descends Into Chaos As 14 Fans Are Rushed To Hospitals

What began as a massive outdoor party with The Chainsmokers ended in a frightening emergency response as 14 concertgoers were transported to hospitals in San Jose, California.

The electronic duo-Alex Pall and Drew Taggart-was performing at Discovery Meadow on Friday, September 4, when emergency calls began pouring in shortly after 8:20 p.m. Multiple people inside the packed outdoor venue reportedly required urgent medical attention, forcing the San Jose Fire Department to dramatically increase its presence.

Officials summoned an Ambulance Task Force, two additional advanced-life-support fire units and a battalion chief to coordinate the growing response. By the end of the night, 14 ambulances had arrived and 14 patients had been taken to local hospitals.

At least 10 of those hospital transports reportedly occurred during the final 30 minutes of the concert, suggesting the situation escalated rapidly as the show approached its conclusion. Other attendees were evaluated or treated at the venue.

Police said the medical calls involved a variety of concerns, including suspected alcohol intoxication and drug-related problems. However, officials have not said that all 14 patients became ill for the same reason, and no evidence has emerged of one substance or single incident causing the entire emergency.

The identities, ages and current conditions of the hospitalized fans have not been released. No deaths have been reported, and police said no arrests were made.

With sirens, ambulances and medical personnel converging around the venue, San Jose police officers were called in to manage traffic while paramedics worked. The emergency operation concluded at approximately 10:34 p.m., just over two hours after the fire department received its first calls.

Despite the number of people requiring hospital care, the concert does not appear to have been formally declared a mass-casualty event by officials. Authorities have also offered no indication that the performers themselves were responsible for the suspected substance-related incidents.

The Chainsmokers have not publicly addressed the hospitalizations. The Grammy-winning duo appeared to continue its schedule, sharing material connected to a subsequent performance at Encore Beach Club in Las Vegas.

The frightening scene arrived less than a month after another Chainsmokers performance reportedly ended with multiple injuries. According to TMZ, nine people were hurt during an August event in Palm Springs after bottles were allegedly thrown into the audience, with seven reportedly transported to hospitals. There is no suggestion that the two incidents are connected.

The San Jose episode is nevertheless likely to raise questions about medical preparedness, alcohol service and crowd safety at large electronic dance music events. Discovery Meadow can accommodate thousands of people, and The Chainsmokers' combination of dance music, elaborate production and festival-style atmosphere routinely attracts enormous crowds.

Pall and Taggart first exploded into the mainstream with their 2014 viral hit "#Selfie." They subsequently became one of electronic music's biggest commercial acts through songs including "Closer" with Halsey, "Something Just Like This" with Coldplay, "Paris" and "Don't Let Me Down."

For the thousands gathered in San Jose, however, Friday night's biggest spectacle unfolded away from the stage. Fourteen ambulances ultimately departed carrying fans who had expected to spend the evening dancing-not lying in hospital beds.