Five are dead and 75 injured after three stage tents collapsed at the Pukkelpop music festival in Belgium on Thursday.

A strong storm hit the festival prompting organizers to cancel the duration out of respect to the victims.  Extra busses and trains are available to evacuate the 40,000 remaining attendees.

The storm hit around 6:30 p.m. in Kiewit, Belgium. The Chateau Tent, Boiler Room and Wablieft Tent were knocked down, along with trees and flying debris.

“I have seen many tropical storms,” Festival Organizer Chokri Mahassine said according to AP reporters, “but this was unprecedented.” Meteorologists did not detect a storm of that intensity.

Pukkelpop is Belgium’s largest alternative music festival, hosting over 220 acts on eight stages.  This stage collapse is the latest in a string of collapses at music festivals throughout the summer.  The most recent occurred just last week when a stage collapsed at the Indiana State Fair.

The recent tragedies led to many in the industry to ask for a crack down in regulations.

About The Author

Brittney McNamara is a Blast Junior Editor

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