1 dead, more than 20 injured as strong winds cause music festival stage collapse

Three of the injured were in serious condition on Saturday, an official said.

August 13, 2022, 6:41 AM

At least one person was killed and more than 20 others were injured when strong gusts of wind caused parts of a stage to fall at a music festival in Spain, officials said.

Three of the injured were in serious condition on Saturday, an official with the Valencia government said.

PHOTO: Staff members clean the venue of Medusa Festival, an electronic music festival, after high winds caused part of a stage to collapse, in Cullera, near Valencia, Spain, Aug. 13, 2022.
Staff members clean the venue of Medusa Festival, an electronic music festival, after high winds caused part of a stage to collapse, in Cullera, near Valencia, Spain, Aug. 13, 2022.
Eva Manez/Reuters

An “unexpected and violent gale” moved through the grounds of the Medusa Festival in Cullera, Spain, at about 4 a.m. local time on Saturday, the organizers said in a statement.

As the weather worsened, the organizers ordered the area around the stage to be evacuated, they said, adding, “Unfortunately, the devastating meteorological phenomenon caused some structures to cause unexpected events.”

Videos taken at the scene showed pieces of a stage breaking off in strong gusts of wind.

PHOTO: Young people leave the Medusa music festival after high winds caused part of a stage to collapse, in Cullera, near Valencia, Spain, on Aug. 13, 2022.
Young people leave the Medusa music festival after high winds caused part of a stage to collapse, in Cullera, near Valencia, Spain, on Aug. 13, 2022.
Eva Manez/Reuters

Local media reported that a 28-year-old man had been killed.

“The Medusa Festival management would like to express our deep and sincere condolences to the family and friends affected by the fatal consequences that occurred last night,” the organizers said in a statement.

PHOTO: A view shows the venue of Medusa Festival, an electronic music festival, after high winds caused part of a stage to collapse, in Cullera, near Valencia, Spain, on Aug. 13, 2022.
A view shows the venue of Medusa Festival, an electronic music festival, after high winds caused part of a stage to collapse, in Cullera, near Valencia, Spain, on Aug. 13, 2022.
Eva Manez/Reuters

The electronic music festival began on Friday.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Related Topics