Foo Fighters were due to headline Main Stage (Photo: Live4ever)
Organisers of Belgium’s Pukkelpop festival have confirmed the remainder of the event has been cancelled following the tragic stage collapse yesterday (August 18th), which took the lives of five music fans and injured over 70 more.
The BBC reports a huge storm swept through the site yesterday, causing the third stage collapse at a music event in recent days.
“Pukkelpop is in deep mourning. We truly sympathise with the families and friends of the victims,” a statement released says. “Words are not enough. We have struggled with the decision to continue the festival. Therefore we have decided to cancel Pukkelpop 2011. What has happened is very exceptional and could not have been predicted.”
“We are deeply moved by all the spontaneous support the festival goers and the organisation have received. We call on all Pukkelpoppers to return home calmly. Extra buses and trains have been organised to bring everybody home. We ask everyone to understand that this decision was extremely difficult to make.”
Bands due to play the festival this weekend have been quick to lend their thoughts to those affected. Fleet Foxes tweeted: “We are all safe at Pukkelpop. Crazy storm. This is awful. Hearts go out to all,” while Foo Fighters, originally scheduled to headline the Main Stage, wrote: “Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the tragic events at Pukkelpop.”