With the death toll from the Pukkelpop stage collapse now confirmed at five, saddened festival-goers began their journey home on Friday.
The three-day festival in Belgium was canceled by Pukkelpop organizers after three tents collapsed during Thursday's heavy rain, wind and hail storm. In addition to the five victims, eight people had serious injuries while another 70 have been treated for minor injuries. More than 60,000 people were reportedly on festival-grounds when the storm hit the town of Hasselt, about 50 miles from Brussels.
The Foo Fighters, Eminem and The Offspring were all scheduled to perform at the weekend festival, along with more than 200 artists and bands.
On Friday, Pukkelpop announced the cancellation of the festival on its Web site.
Pukkelpop is in deep mourning, said organizers. 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 . . . We ask everyone to understand that this decision was extremely difficult to make.
A banner reading "Rest in peace" is placed at the entrance of outdoor Belgian pop festival Pukkelpop near Hasselt August 19, 2011. The festival was struck by a fierce storm that knocked down screens and collapsed tents late on Thursday. The death toll has risen to five while a further eight festival-goers were seriously injured and some 65 people had more minor injuries, officials said on Friday. Some 60,000 to 65,000 mainly young people were attending the sold-out festival when the storm struck early in the evening.REUTERSA man sits next to the entrance of outdoor Belgian pop festival Pukkelpop near Hasselt August 19, 2011. The festival was struck by a fierce storm that knocked down screens and collapsed tents late on Thursday. The death toll has risen to five while a further eight festival-goers were seriously injured and some 65 people had more minor injuries, officials said on Friday. Some 60,000 to 65,000 mainly young people were attending the sold-out festival when the storm struck early in the evening.REUTERSPeople prepare to leave the venue of the outdoor Belgian pop festival Pukkelpop near Hasselt August 19, 2011. The festival was struck by a fierce storm that knocked down screens and collapsed tents late on Thursday. The death toll has risen to five while a further eight festival-goers were seriously injured and some 65 people had more minor injuries, officials said on Friday. Some 60,000 to 65,000 mainly young people were attending the sold-out festival when the storm struck early in the evening.REUTERSPeople prepare to leave the outdoor Belgian pop festival Pukkelpop near Hasselt August 19, 2011. The festival was struck by a fierce storm that knocked down screens and collapsed tents late on Thursday. The death toll has risen to five while a further eight festival-goers were seriously injured and some 65 people had more minor injuries, officials said on Friday. Some 60,000 to 65,000 mainly young people were attending the sold-out festival when the storm struck early in the evening.REUTERSPeople leave the venue of outdoor Belgian pop festival Pukkelpop near Hasselt August 19, 2011. The festival was struck by a fierce storm that knocked down screens and collapsed tents late on Thursday. The death toll has risen to five while a further eight festival-goers were seriously injured and some 65 people had more minor injuries, officials said on Friday. Some 60,000 to 65,000 mainly young people were attending the sold-out festival when the storm struck early in the evening.REUTERSA photo of victims of the disaster at outdoor Belgian pop festival Pukkelpop is placed at the entrance of the site near Hasselt August 19, 2011. The festival was struck by a fierce storm that knocked down screens and collapsed tents late on Thursday. The death toll has risen to five while a further eight festival-goers were seriously injured and some 65 people had more minor injuries, officials said on Friday. Some 60,000 to 65,000 mainly young people were attending the sold-out festival when the storm struck early in the evening.REUTERSAn empty camp site is seen after people leave outdoor Belgian pop festival Pukkelpop near Hasselt August 19, 2011. The festival was struck by a fierce storm that knocked down screens and collapsed tents late on Thursday. The death toll has risen to five while a further eight festival-goers were seriously injured and some 65 people had more minor injuries, officials said on Friday. Some 60,000 to 65,000 mainly young people were attending the sold-out festival when the storm struck early in the evening.REUTERS
