Pukkelpop Festival Cancelled As Storm Death Toll Rises To Five

Five people are now confirmed to have died and dozens injured when a sudden storm hit the Pukkelpop festival in Belgium on Thursday (August 18).

Strong winds and torrential rain caused staging to collapse and trees to be uprooted across the festival site.

In a statement on their website, organisers said they had no alternative but to cancel the rest of the festival.

“Words are not enough. We have struggled with the decision to continue the festival. Therefore we have decided to cancel Pukkelpop 2011,” they said.

Organisers added that the weather conditions yesterday were “very exceptional and could not have been predicted”.

Around 60,000 people were estimated to be in attendance at the festival, which has been named as one of the largest in Europe.

Many of the bands due to play, including Foo Fighters and 30 Seconds To Mars, have expressed their condolences to those affected by the tragedy.

Pukkelpop stage collapse:

When Gigs Go Wrong