Moment killer storm swept into Belgian music festival where five people died when stages collapsed



These photographs show the terrible moment that a huge storm swept into Belgium’s Pukkelpop music festival, leading to the deaths of at least five people after two stages collapsed.



Up to 100 were seriously injured as the storm-lashed temporary structures fell onto the crowd who, as evidenced here, were woefully unprepared for the savage weather that led to the tragedy.



As is typical of music festivals, many of the the boys are clad only in shorts and T-shirts, many of the girls wear bikinis or crop tops and shorts.

Revellers are seen fleeing for shelter as huge gobs of rain fall almost horizontally and fierce winds force over metal-anchored fences.

Tragic: Huge gobs or rain falls almost horizontally and fierce winds blow fences over as the storm hits Pukkelpop music festival in Belgium Woefully unprepared: People were clad in T-shirt and shorts and bikini tops, showing just how unprepared they were for the onset of the lethal storm

Lashing winds: One festivalgoers tries to hold up a metal-anchored fence as it threatens to blow away while other shelter beneath umbrellas

Hiding: Revellers huddle together for warmth and shelter behind trucks as the weather catches them unaware Safety measures: Disposable rain sheets were dispensed and security flooded the site with lights as the scale of the storm became more apparent

Festivalgoers are usually very well prepared for bad weather and these photographs show just how unexpected the storm was.



The festival was officially cancelled today with organisers saying there was no way it could continue give the circumstances.



The tragedy follows similar ones at other outdoor pop concerts, putting the entire future of such events in doubt.

Organisers of Pukkelpop - which attracts some 180,000 people including many young Britons - said they were 'deeply moved' by what had happened.



Oblivious to the tragedy: Young people still enjoy themselves while sheltering under a truck, unaware of how serious and impact the storm was about to have

This stage at the Pukkelpop festival collapsed after a storm hit the site, killing five and injuring 71

Reports from Belgium said the storm was so strong that it uprooted trees, which landed on the stages

Too much: This festival goer weeps at the devastation as she leaves the site in Belgium

Thursday's disaster saw the vast Chateau stage come down after uprooted trees fell on it, and a second stage was also severely damaged by trees.

It meant that the event, which started in 1985 near the Belgium town of Hasselt, was halted.

'Pukkelpop is in deep mourning,' organisers said in a statement. 'We truly sympathise with the families and friends of the victims.

'Words are not enough. We have struggled with the decision to continue the festival. Therefore we have decided to cancel Pukkelpop 2011.

Lighting rigs and other stage equipment crashed to the ground as spectators wathed. American band The Smith Westerns were reportedly playing

Hundreds of people fled the festival after the storm had turned it into a mudbath in just ten minutes

Dressed in their flimsy rain macs, these three men look at one of the collapse stages

'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.'

Organisers hoped their 'extremely difficult' decision would encourage people to return home 'calmly'.

Hugo Simons, head of Hasselt's emergency services, confirmed that five people had died, with up to 100 injured.

Around 20 ambulances rushed to the scene, with some of those suffering minor injuries treated at a nearby sports centre

The storm was so fierce that it ripped trees up and dumped them onto the tents nearby

U.S band the Smith Westerners were on stage when the main stage collapsed, and said that they narrowly escaped serious injury themselves.

'Almost got crushed by the trees, I hope Pukkelpop has insurance because all our equipment is broken,' the band said on Twitter, before adding: 'Praying no-one got hurt'.

One of those who watched a tent collapse was Laura Elegeert, 17, of Saint-Nicolas, Belgium.

A pair of volunteers look at the wreckage of a stage that collapsed. The organisers said that the festival was now on hold

Jared Leto of 30 Seconds to Mars tweeted information about what was happening at the festival

'It was utter confusion, mass panic,' Elegeert said. 'People were trying to get out of this tent that collapsed by using their pocket knives and cutting holes in the fabric.'

Jared Leto, singer with 30 Seconds to Mars, tweeted that 'safety first' would almost certainly lead to the event being cancelled.