Belgium festival death toll rises to five

The death toll from a fierce rain-and-hail storm that downed tents, trees and scaffolding at an open-air music festival in Belgium has risen to five, officials said.

The death toll from a fierce rain-and-hail storm that downed tents, trees and scaffolding at an open-air music festival in Belgium has risen to five, officials said.

Hasselt mayor Hilde Claes said that two more people died overnight. A total of 73 people were injured, eight of them seriously.

The annual Pukkelpop festival near the town, 50 miles east of Brussels, was cancelled. Buses and trains have been pressed into service to transfer the 60,000 festival-goers home.

A brief but violent thunderstorm yesterday evening tore down concert tents, several trees and main stage scaffolding. Panicked concert-goers ran through fields of mud looking for shelter.

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Child, 8, the only survivor as 45 killed in South Africa bus crash Child, 8, the only survivor as 45 killed in South Africa bus crash
Russia ‘abolishes’ monitoring of sanctions on North Korea with UN veto Russia ‘abolishes’ monitoring of sanctions on North Korea with UN veto
UN top court orders Israel to open more land crossings into Gaza UN top court orders Israel to open more land crossings into Gaza
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited