One death has been confirmed, as well as several injuries, at the site of a Linkin Park concert that took place in Cape Town on Wednesday when an advertising scaffolding collapsed due to strong winds. The scaffolding had collapsed before the band had started playing. The show had then gone on as scheduled, after local authorities had considered the area secure.
Cape Town authorities have issued a statement: "The City of Cape Town and Big Concerts confirm that twenty concert attendees were injured at the Cape Town Stadium this evening when a temporary scaffolding structure in the Stadium precinct collapsed due to high winds.
The City’s Emergency Services, including doctors, paramedics and Disaster Risk Management staff assisted immediately. The injured were treated on scene and have been taken to nearby hospitals for further medical attention.
The incident occurred at approximately 18h55 when high wind speeds caused the collapse of a temporary scaffolding structure. The temporary structure was a branding activation, located adjacent to the Stadium forecourt on the Cape Town CBD side of the venue.
The structure had been pre-approved and certified safe, by structural engineers prior to the event. The remainder of the structure was dismantled and the commanding officer at the Venue Operations Centre declared the event site safe shortly afterwards. The Stadium gates were re-opened to concert attendees. The concert is going ahead as planned. All necessary support is being provided to those injured."
"Following our performance tonight at Cape Town Stadium, we were advised that several people were injured as a result of the collapse of an advertising tower erected by Lucozade in the parking area outside the venue.
We wish to express our deep sadness and concern for those injured and our heartfelt condolences to the family of the fan who died as a result of her injuries. Though we have had no relationship with the sponsor or the entity responsible for erecting the structure, we take the safety of our fans very seriously and our thoughts are with all of those who were affected by this tragedy."
And this worst thing is that it could so easily have been prevented if people just used common sense. Cape Town is notorious for it's high wind speeds (particularly in summer) and yet The banner had no wind holes in it and the scaffolding wasn't properly secured down by any wires. How it was certified as "safe" is beyond me. Blatant negligence and stupidity.
I'm from Cape Town, it was actually a Lucozade add/billboard/structure or whatever. Hope this doesn't deter any bands from coming to South Africa, we get to see so few decent bands eventhough we have a massive rock following
If the winds are that strong, they should build signs that will take the wind. It's not rocket science. I'm not going to build something in the desert that can't handle a little sun and sand.
As a mechanical engineer, you can't always just "make things work". I'm sure a lot goes into signs like that. They should probably have postponed or cancelled the concert. I think it is in poor tastes how they played anyways. How could you celebrate even your fave band when someone just died at the very same concert?
I swear to god, it's like event companies are cutting so many corners on equipment nowadays. It's like every 3 months one of these pieces of shits collapse and kill at least one person.
It's not about the content of the article. People are meant to like/dislike the article based on how it's written, put together, proof-read etc, that way UG know which articles are more/less popular. They've explained that hundreds of times...
So, a family just lost someone dear to them, possibly a little girl who will have to grow up with no father, a son who will have no one there for him, a wife who lost the one she loved, a father who's son is dead, family devastated.
This isnt the most tragic event in the history of music.
Stop crying over other peoples losses.
Saying RIP on here is completely meaningless coming from random internet users.
And it was pretty funny... haha death metal!
the people getting mad about a joke, i mean. seriously this accident further shows how fragile life is and can be taken away anytime... SO LIGHTEN UP and quit bringing people down..
This: 'so are they now classified as "death metal"? hahaha'isn't very funny, nor is it polite to the family who lost a life. It may be a 'joke' and have the intention of making the people feel better with humor, but I personally think that he needs to think things through before he posts them.
I personally think I dont care what you think.
Do you see anywhere saying there is a rule about posting only comments that are polite and friendly? This is the internet! you better cover your eyes, it gets a lot worse than this.
I see no rule and I am very aware that people are *******s on the internet. Amanda Todd ring a bell? That's just one example. I'm also confident that you won't care what anybody thinks until something horrible happens to you and we all start making jokes about you and your tragedy.
All I'm saying is to be a little more respectful. I'm all for jokes, but in a serious and very tragic scene, they aren't the place to make them.
Well, the reason this one is downvoted isn't because the downvoters are trying to shoot the messenger, but because the downvoters "don't like" that a concert-goer was killed by a poorly-constructed building for some careless corporation.
Yes but that's missing the point, the liking/disliking system is if you like the article itself, not the opinion on what its reporting. The article is reporting condolences, so in this case it should be liked to show support....And many other cases.
I always vote based on the content. Isn't the point of these articles to learn about stuff in the music world? As opposed to how well a writer can write. Obviously I gave this article a thumbs down.
I was just trying to figure out how terrible news would get any thumbs up at all. It's either "I enjoyed reading the article"/"I enjoyed hearing someone died"....or...."I disliked reading this article"/"I dislike that someone died".
Sad news when a fan dies at one of their favourite bands gigs, regardless of who that band it is.
On a much lighter note, this reminds of Bono, Bono:"Every time I clap, a child dies somewhere in the world", Scotish concert goer:"Well stop f*ckin clapping then"
My prayers go out to the family of my fellow South African. And to all of you Americans who don't give a damn, I have a few Afrikaans words for you. Voetsek jy fokken poepoles
I just want to say kudos to everybody who commented on not being stupid, I know we all like to rip on groups like Linkin Park and honestly, I was a little worried looking at the comments that some guys just wouldn't care. So all you who held back from the good jokes, give yourself a pat on the back.
That said, RIP, i'ts always sad when someone passes, especially in contrast to a fun event. That said, remember she was probably pretty darn happy when her time came...
Yes, it was a tragic event that happened from music fans at a music event for a band that plays music. It's a general ****ing music site not just an archive for album releases or tour announcements.
With so many of these instances that keep happening you would think that they would take more time to properly construct every stage and all parts of them
Damn promoters! That fallen structure would be a clue to cancel the show. SMH. I'm glad in the U.S., they have a 3rd party official to determine this situation. That way, the promoters can't pressure the performers and tech crew to go on with the show.
Myt Father was a cop that was killed by drunk driver at Greatful Dead concert in Philly many years ago. The Asshole said it was poor lighting. People all around need to think Murphy’s law and how can we avoid it! The Stadium has been taken down but his plaque still stands. Hope the fan’s family has been taken care of.
Rest In Peace Linkin Park concert goer.