Pukkelpop Canceled, Death Toll Up to Five After Stage Collapse

Organizers of Belgium's Pukkelpop festival have announced the event's cancellation after the stage collapse that killed five concertgoers. The injury toll has reportedly risen to 140, with 10 of them considered serious, after the sudden calamitous storm hit the festival which hosted approximately 60,000 people.

"Pukkelpop is in deep mourning. We truly sympathise with the families and friends of the victims," the organizers announced on the festival's site. "Words are not enough. We have struggled with the decision to continue the festival. Therefore we have decided to cancel Pukkelpop 2011.

"What has happened is very exceptional and could not have been predicted. We are deeply moved by all the spontaneous support the festival goers and the organisation have received. We call on all Pukkelpoppers to return home calmly. Extra buses and trains have been organised to bring everybody home."

The sold-out event was hit by the storm just as Chicago's Smith Westerns started their set. The Foo Fighters, the Offspring and Eminem were among the headliners.

Watch the BBC's Report on the Pukkelpop Disaster

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