August 19th, 2011
08:07 AM ET

Stage collapse kills 5 in Belgium

One of Europe's largest outdoor music festivals was canceled Friday after a stage collapsed during a violent storm in Belgium, killing five people and injuring 50 others, organizers said.

Belgian authorities confirmed Friday that the death toll has gone up.

"A fifth person has died," Andy Payne, spokesman for the nation's crisis center, told CNN. He said he did not know the circumstances surrounding the death.

The storm struck Thursday just hours after Pukkelpop kicked off. The scheduled three-day event was in Hasselt, east of Brussels.

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Filed under: Belgium • Europe • World
soundoff (20 Responses)
  1. justathought

    Not to be funny, but what is this copycat thing about storms and stages colapsing?

    August 19, 2011 at 8:39 am | Report abuse |
    • Melissa

      It wasn't only a stage, trees have been blown away, tents collapsed...Belgium is shocked. RIP for all the victims

      August 19, 2011 at 9:22 am | Report abuse |
    • Kaat Verstraete

      The stage didn't collapse. The tent called "chateau" did and some food and drink stalls too.
      Trees were uprooted and the camping site literally was blown away.
      The weather forecast predicted a storm, but not so heavy as this one. Besides we rarely have storms this size in Belgium. Twisters, hurricanes and things like that never happen here.

      August 20, 2011 at 5:49 am | Report abuse |
  2. RUFFNUTT

    THEY NEED TO ban stages altogether....

    August 19, 2011 at 9:05 am | Report abuse |
  3. Really

    @justathought: I was thinking the same thing. Weird

    August 19, 2011 at 9:05 am | Report abuse |
  4. William

    Is no one checking the weather forecast?

    August 19, 2011 at 9:18 am | Report abuse |
  5. DerpDiggler

    Hahaha
    Sounds like one rockin' concert, lol! 😀

    August 19, 2011 at 10:10 am | Report abuse |
    • Jeroen

      People got killed, people where bleeding, people lost arms/legs, people were crying, children were lost, people were drowning, people were freezing to dead, ...

      Now become an adult 😉

      Greets from Belgium – just back from Pukkelpop.

      August 19, 2011 at 11:32 am | Report abuse |
  6. Joey Issota-Fraschini

    I don't think that would work RuffNutt stages just need to be built sturdier. Derpdigger,I do not understand your remark. 5 people were killed. No rock and roll there.

    August 19, 2011 at 10:24 am | Report abuse |
  7. RUFFNUTT

    maybe have airbags installed on stages?

    August 19, 2011 at 10:27 am | Report abuse |
  8. DNadeau

    Well.. After the stage collapse in Indiana you would think some lessons would have been learned. the Concert authority who kept the show going in belgium during the storm (instead of cancelling due to weather) probably feels like crap right about now.

    August 19, 2011 at 11:05 am | Report abuse |
    • Dimi

      It went from the warmest sunniest summer's day to hurricane in about 15 minutes. There was absolutely no time to evacuate 60 000 people.

      August 19, 2011 at 1:31 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Tom

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5X4N2exOsU&w=640&h=390]

    August 19, 2011 at 11:50 am | Report abuse |
  10. AGuest9

    Within Temptation posted this on their feed this AM. Just like last week at the Sugarland concert at the Indiana Fair. Sad.

    August 19, 2011 at 1:14 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Mmmmm

    Ridiculous...

    August 19, 2011 at 1:48 pm | Report abuse |
  12. s kel

    ok thats strange, stage collaspe ,during a concert, and the same number killed???? wow

    August 19, 2011 at 1:54 pm | Report abuse |
  13. R

    I love Within Temptation with all my heart, so glad they didn't get hurt. RIP for the poor souls that did.

    August 19, 2011 at 2:30 pm | Report abuse |
  14. banasy©

    Sad.
    Condolences to the families who lost loved ones.

    *Canceling summer outdoor concert plans*

    August 19, 2011 at 3:18 pm | Report abuse |
  15. Catherine Evers

    I was there. The storm came and went in about 15 minutes. Violent winds, hail, lightning,... the works. The main tent where a lot of youngsters were waiting for the rain and hail to stop flew away. High trees were uprooted. the camping area was also affected. 45.000 people and only 140 medical interventions needed. All in all: we were quite lucky! Strength to the families of the deceased and those fighting for their lives. I know all the doctors, including my brother, and other medical personal, including many acquaintances, were fighting to the end of their strength and had a terrible night. Thanks to the police and fire departments for going above and beyond.

    August 19, 2011 at 3:50 pm | Report abuse |
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