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Cape Town – The Belgium music festival Pukkelpop, at which four people lost their lives on Thursday, has been officially cancelled.
The announcement comes after organisers' original plans to continue the festival on Friday was slated by the public who claimed on Pukkelpop’s website that to continue with the festival would be "disrespectful" and "scandalous".
The Pukkelpop website informed the public of the cancellation while offering their condolences to the loved ones of those who died after a massive storm hit the festival site, causing widespread damage.
The post reads: "Pukkelpop is in deep mourning. 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."
'Exceptional circumstances'
The organisers also note that the incident and the circumstances under which it occurred are exceptional and that they urge festivalgoers to leave calmly.
They also offer assistance to any festivalgoers who may have questions regarding the incident and its implications.
30 Seconds to Mars frontman Jared Leto actively tweeted during Thursday night’s horrific events, noting the possibility that the show might have to be cancelled: "CRAZY STORM AT PUKKELPOP IN BELGIUM - NOT SURE WE WILL BE ABLE TO GO ON STAGE - STAYED TUNED. SAFETY FIRST."
Later when the deaths of the victims were confirmed, Leto took to the band’s website to offer his sympathies: "Our deepest thoughts and sympathies to the families and friends of those who lost their lives today at the show in Belgium. We are absolutely devastated that this celebration ended in tragedy."
The festival was scheduled to take place from August 18-20.
Watch footage of the storm here:
The announcement comes after organisers' original plans to continue the festival on Friday was slated by the public who claimed on Pukkelpop’s website that to continue with the festival would be "disrespectful" and "scandalous".
The Pukkelpop website informed the public of the cancellation while offering their condolences to the loved ones of those who died after a massive storm hit the festival site, causing widespread damage.
The post reads: "Pukkelpop is in deep mourning. 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."
'Exceptional circumstances'
The organisers also note that the incident and the circumstances under which it occurred are exceptional and that they urge festivalgoers to leave calmly.
They also offer assistance to any festivalgoers who may have questions regarding the incident and its implications.
30 Seconds to Mars frontman Jared Leto actively tweeted during Thursday night’s horrific events, noting the possibility that the show might have to be cancelled: "CRAZY STORM AT PUKKELPOP IN BELGIUM - NOT SURE WE WILL BE ABLE TO GO ON STAGE - STAYED TUNED. SAFETY FIRST."
Later when the deaths of the victims were confirmed, Leto took to the band’s website to offer his sympathies: "Our deepest thoughts and sympathies to the families and friends of those who lost their lives today at the show in Belgium. We are absolutely devastated that this celebration ended in tragedy."
The festival was scheduled to take place from August 18-20.
Watch footage of the storm here:
