By Dan Parker
A New Zealand band and at least one young Kiwi concert-goer have escaped a disaster at a Belgium music festival that left at least three dead and more than 70 injured.
The Auckland band, The Naked and Famous, had just performed for a crowd of 60,000 when a storm caused the stage to collapse into the audience.
Heavy rain and hail pelted concertgoers as they were sent scrambling for cover.
Metal bracing, giant screens, tents and trees all came crashing down as a storm tore through the open air festival.
60,000 mostly unprepared fans tried to seek refuge wherever possible but as darkness fell and the storm eased it became clear many had not escaped in time.
20-year-old Brinnie Gardner managed to avoid harm.
“We were standing a little bit away from the shelter that was opposite the stage,” says Ms Gardner. “We were just dancing away and it caved in at the middle and people screamed and ran, everyone was just running away.”
There are conflicting reports coming out of Belgium as to how many have been killed but officials have so far confirmed three deaths.
They say 11 others are severely injured and another 60 have been hurt; mostly in the area by the main stage where headline acts the Foo Fighters and Eminem were due to play.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it is not aware of any reports of New Zealanders killed or injured in the incident.
The Naked and Famous had just completed their performance on the stage before the storm and released this statement through their agent; “The Naked and Famous and their stage crew are safe but our thoughts are with those directly affected by the tragedy and their families”.
Despite the horrors which have unfolded at Pukkelpop, organisers announced on their website this afternoon that after a clean up, the show will go on.
3 News
source: newshub archive
