Stage Collapse Reported At Belgium’s Pukkelpop Festival

Updated:

August 22, 2011 11:56 am

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At least one stage at Belgium’s Pukkelpop festival has collapsed following heavy rains. According to the most recent report, four people are dead, and eight have been seriously injured.

“Stage collapsed max almost got crushed by the tress. I hope pukkelpop has insurance bc all our shit is broke” tweeted Chicago rock band Smith Westerns earlier today.

Jared Leto of 30 Seconds to Mars also tweeted: CRAZY STORM AT PUKKELPOP IN BELGIUM NOT SURE WE WILL BE ABLE TO GO ON STAGE – STAYED TUNED. SAFETY FIRST.

The incident comes after recent stage collapses at concerts by Sugarland, Flaming Lips, and Cheap Trick, all of which occurred in the last two months.

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You can view photos of the collapse here.

Pukkelpop is an annual music festival in Hasselt, Belgium. This year’s headliners include Eminem and Foo Fighters. Last year’s festival was also marred by tragedy. British band Ou Est Le Swimming Pool’s lead singer Charles Haddon, 22, jumped from a communications tower, committing suicide. And The Call’s lead singer/guitarist Michael Been died of a heart attack, while working as a soundman for his son’s band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

“We are all ok but more importantly we are just now hearing the horrific news that this isn’t the case for everyone,” Smith Westerns wrote in a Facebook update. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families who lost loved ones in today’s tragedy.”

“The Pukkelpop organisation has decided to cancel all shows tonight out of respect for the victims,” the Festival posted on their Facebook page. “We want to make our hearts and our minds silent for the festival goers that we lost and the ones that were injured. On this page you can pay your respects for the victims of the severe thunderstorm.”