The paper reports that at least three girls fainted after being pressed against the barricades, while others simply hyperventilated in the excitement. A number of others suffered cuts and bruises after being jostled and trampled by the crowds, including those gathered in the long pre-show line-ups outside the venue.

Meanwhile, the band's label says that false rumors of the group's demise overseas recently caused panic among the European fans. Jive Records says that the story spread from German television and magazines through to U.K. tabloids and became front page news in Holland. Thousands of calls began flooding into TV and radio stations asking if the story is true, prompting the label to issue a statement.

The Backstreet Boys first gained popularity in Canada and Europe prior to hitting it big in America. The boys released their first U.S. album exactly one year ago, and it remains in the Top 10 after 52 weeks with sales over 6 million, giving them a total to date of 22 million world-wide.

- MTV News Gallery

August 20, 1998