At least two people have died and around 40 have been injured as a result of a stage collapse at the Pukkelpop Festival in Hasselt, Belgium. The accident occurred when a strong rainstorm and high winds caused the metal stage structure to fall forwards onto the crowd during a set from Chicago indie band Smith Westerns.
According to frontman Cullen Omori this afternoon, the stage collapsed after a rainstorm, which also caused trees to break and fall over. Speaking on his Twitter account, Omori said: "Stage collapsed max almost got crushed by the tress. I hope pukkelpop has insurance bc all our shit is broke. Praying no got hurt. Wtf." Omori later went on to confirm that no member of the band had been injured in the incident.
Jared Leto of 30 Seconds To Mars also commented on the accident via his Twitter account. The band are scheduled to headline the event in Belgium, but it is currently unknown if their performance will go ahead. Leto said: "CRAZY STORM AT PUKKELPOP IN BELGIUM – NOT SURE WE WILL BE ABLE TO GO ON STAGE – STAY TUNED. SAFETY FIRST."
This is not the first stage collapse in recent weeks. Windy conditions caused a main stage structure to collapse at the Indiana State Fair last week, where five audience members were killed and 48 injured.
You can see the conditions which led to the collapse at Pukkelpop festival below:
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