World
2022.08.14 02:49 GMT+8

One killed, dozens injured as high winds cause stage collapse at Spain festival

Updated 2022.08.14 02:49 GMT+8
CGTN

A civil guard car in Cullera, near Valencia, Spain. /Reuters

One person was killed and dozens were injured when high winds caused part of the main stage to collapse at a dance music festival near the Spanish city of Valencia early on Saturday, emergency services said.

Thirty-two people were taken to hospital and three others remained there on Saturday afternoon, according to regional health authorities.

Organizers of the event said "extreme" weather conditions had caused damage to various infrastructures on the site.

"We are completely devastated and saddened at what happened this morning," organizers said on the festival's Facebook page.

"At around four in the morning unexpected and violent strong winds destroyed certain areas of the festival, forcing management to make the immediate decision to vacate the concert area to guarantee the safety of attendees, workers and artists," organizers said.

National broadcaster TVE showed images of strong gusts of wind battering against people's tents and festival awnings in the middle of the night, as people shielded their eyes from the sandstorm-like conditions.

(With input from Reuters)

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