1 dead, dozens injured after high wind topples stage at Spanish music festival
Organizers of the Medusa Festival in Cullera said an unexpected and violent gale devastated certain areas of the festival. A sandstorm later enveloped the entire venue.
1 dead, dozens injured after heavy wind topples music festival stage in Spain
Severe wind toppled part of a stage during a music festival in Spain. Authorities said one person has died and at least 17 others were injured at the Medusa Festival. Organizers suspended the event due to the whipping winds.
CULLERA, Spain – One person has died, and dozens more were injured after severe wind toppled part of a stage at a music festival in Spain.
Organizers of the Medusa Festival in Cullera said an unexpected and violent gale devastated certain areas of the festival about 4 a.m. Saturday local time, forcing management to vacate the concert area. A sandstorm later enveloped the entire venue.
About 40 people were taken to the hospital, including three with serious injuries, according to emergency services for the Valencia region.
"We are completely devastated and dismayed at what happened," organizers said in a statement. "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."
The identity of the 22-year-old man killed has not been released.
"I want to convey my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the young man who died this morning at the Medusa Festival in Cullera. We closely follow the evolution of the wounded," Valencia’s regional president, Ximo Puig, said on Twitter.
Five stages were spread across the popular camping and electronic music festival that began on Wednesday and was scheduled to run until Sunday, but festival organizers suspended the event.