One of the biggest music festivals in Europe in the open were canceled after a stage collapsed during a storm in Belgium, killing five people and injured 50 others, the organizers say.
Belgian authorities confirmed Friday that the death toll rose.
"A fifth person died," said Andy Payne, spokesman for the crisis center of the nation, CNN. He said he did not know the circumstances of death.
The storm hit Thursday, hours after the start of Pukkelpop. The planned three-day event was in Hasselt, east of Brussels.
Strong winds ripped trees and destroyed them one of the eight stages of festivals, national news agency Belga reported.
Belgian authorities are investigating the point of collapse, which occurred in those who had gathered to watch the westerns Smith run, Belga reported.
"Pukkelpop is with deep sorrow. We sympathize with the families and friends of the victims," said a statement sent to the organizers of the festival website.
"Words are not enough. We struggled with the decision to continue the party. That's why we decided to cancel the Pukkelpop 2011".
Over 60,000 people were expected for the Pukkelpop, which was to feature music of Foo Fighters, 30 Seconds to Mars, and Eminem, organizers said.
"We call on all Pukkelpoppers quietly go home," the statement said.
The organizers said they provide additional bus and train service to go to the festival.
"We all understand that this decision was very difficult to do," the statement said.
Jared Leto, lead singer of 30 Seconds to Mars, was ready to take the stage when the storm hit.
"Four steps down - still raining + thunder," Leto Twitter. "If you're here, please be safe."
An hour later, he tweeted "serious damage to the party."
Foo Fighters, who has been headlining the festival on the main stage Thursday, tweeted: "Our thoughts are with those affected by the tragic events."
The organizers of the event by telephone declined to comment on a request from CNN, saying that reserves his comments for a press conference scheduled.
The incident in Belgium after another week before the U.S. when a storm caused the collapse of a stage in the Indiana State Fair. Five people were killed and 40 injured in the accident that occurred just before the country music duo Sugarland was about to go on stage.
In early August, weather conditions have caused the collapse of the stage just before a performance of The Flaming Lips in Oklahoma.
A month earlier, a storm knocked down a stage while the rock band Cheap Trick played the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest in Canada. No serious injuries were reported in the incident.
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