AN event to meet a popular influencer sparked chaos after thousands more people turned up than expected.
Fans hoping to catch a glimpse of Anna Paul, 23, stood in queues for hours at a mall in Perth, Australia, while some passed out in the rush to be included.
Fans rushed to try and catch a glimpse of OnlyFans star and model Anna PaulCredit: Instagram/@anna_paull
The out-of-control guests were pushed and shoved as they waited in the queueCredit: TikTok/@jamila__king/
A significantly higher number of people attended the event than was expectedCredit: TikTok/@jamila__king/
The TikTok and OnlyFans star was set to come face-to-face with some of her top online followers – but the opportunity attracted far more interest than first thought.
Organisers expected about 200 to 300 people to attend the event at Hay Street Mall on Sunday – but a significantly larger group attended instead, the New York Post reported.
A post to TikTok showed people getting pushed and shoved as they waited.
It said: “Waited 5+ hours, got squished and trampled, gasping for air, nearly fainted all for it to get closed down by the police.”
One person claimed they had waited overnight to see Anna, who has over five million TikTok fans and two million on Instagram, and was devastated it had been cancelled.
They said: “I got there at 2 a.m. and got to see her but only for a split second and barely could say anything but still very grateful. So sad it got cancelled.”
Police had to get involved after the chance to spend time with the Queenslander got the better of some fans.
Tensions began to boil as some started jumping queues with several people collapsing and needing medical assistance.
In a clip shared online, people are seen chanting outside the venue as officers try to break them up.
Anna shared an update to her Instagram apologising to the eager crowd.
She wrote: “Due to safety, the West Australian Police had to shut down the Perth meet and greet early.
“It became a huge safety hazard. Thank you for being amazing.
“I am so so sorry. We tried our best to work with the police but it got too much. Your safety is our #1 concern always. I love you.”
A police spokesman said the event was shut down after the size of the crowd exceeded what had been anticipated.
He said: “Due to the size of the crowd and lack of appropriate security and other event planning in place to cope with the larger than expected crowd, and in consultation with the store management, the event was closed down and police commenced dispersing the crowd from the area.”
The model had been touring Australia as part of her collaboration with fitness label STAX.
In a post shared to Instagram, the activewear brand said: “On behalf of myself and Matilda, we have the unfortunate news and have been directed by Perth Police that due to crowd control we are unable to proceed with today’s meet and greet in Perth.
“We are overwhelmed with the response and cannot thank you all so much for continually supporting STAX. and all that we do.
“As you can imagine this is not how we foresaw today going, I am personally heartbroken that we cannot go ahead. We love and appreciate each and everyone of you.”
The event had to be shut down after the crowd got out of control