Two killed as Madonna show stage collapses in Marseille
|
Madonna cancelled her Marseille, France concert after the roof of a stage being set up for her show collapsed, killing two people and injuring eight.
A 53-year-old French worker was killed on the spot when the stage collapsed on Thursday and a 32-year-old British worker died in hospital, authorities said on Friday.
Eight other workers were injured, of whom five are in a serious condition. More than 30 people suffered minor injuries and shock, according to authorities.
Marseille city authorities said all the victims worked for a company called Live Nation, which was preparing the show.
Technicians had been setting up the stage at the city's Velodrome stadium when the partially-built roof fell in on Thursday, bringing down a crane. The 60,000-seater Velodrome is France's second-biggest sports arena and home to the Olympique de Marseille football club.
Fire-fighters said the accident occurred when the roof of the stage became unbalanced as it was being lifted by four cranes, toppling one of them.
The roof "started shaking and collapsing" gradually, said Marseilles city councillor Maurice Di Nocera.
"Since it did not collapse right away that allowed several people to get out," he said.
On stage at the Fruili Stadium in Udine, northern Italy, the Queen of Pop said she had been “devastated” to hear news of the deaths while she was rehearsing.
Stopping the concert she spoke through tears to tell the huge crowd: “I ask you for a moment to stop and think of the people who have lost their lives, we need to appreciate life, the people we love and our families.”
"My prayers go out to those who were injured and their families, along with my deepest sympathy to all those affected by this heartbreaking news," she said in a statement released by Live Nation, the organisers of the concert.
Madonna had been scheduled to give a concert in Marseille on July 19 but the show was cancelled immediately after the collapse.
Eight other workers were injured, of whom five are in a serious condition. More than 30 people suffered minor injuries and shock, according to authorities.
Marseille city authorities said all the victims worked for a company called Live Nation, which was preparing the show.
Technicians had been setting up the stage at the city's Velodrome stadium when the partially-built roof fell in on Thursday, bringing down a crane. The 60,000-seater Velodrome is France's second-biggest sports arena and home to the Olympique de Marseille football club.
Fire-fighters said the accident occurred when the roof of the stage became unbalanced as it was being lifted by four cranes, toppling one of them.
The roof "started shaking and collapsing" gradually, said Marseilles city councillor Maurice Di Nocera.
"Since it did not collapse right away that allowed several people to get out," he said.
On stage at the Fruili Stadium in Udine, northern Italy, the Queen of Pop said she had been “devastated” to hear news of the deaths while she was rehearsing.
Stopping the concert she spoke through tears to tell the huge crowd: “I ask you for a moment to stop and think of the people who have lost their lives, we need to appreciate life, the people we love and our families.”
"My prayers go out to those who were injured and their families, along with my deepest sympathy to all those affected by this heartbreaking news," she said in a statement released by Live Nation, the organisers of the concert.
Madonna had been scheduled to give a concert in Marseille on July 19 but the show was cancelled immediately after the collapse.
Add your comment