Rock Am Ring festival has been cancelled due to lightning strikes injuring at least 80 people.
Thunderstorms marked a turn for the worst for the Rock Am Ring festival late Friday. Taking precaution, organizers advised that the mass of attendees find shelter to avoid harm. However, eight attendees suffered major injuries, and two had to be resuscitated on site. Local law enforcement was forced to cancel the festivities to avoid further complications.
“It’s not about causing panic but giving people the feeling that someone is looking after them.” ,said Marek Lieberberg, a head organizer.
In these past weeks, Germany has been hit by severe rainstorms that have lead to 11 deaths. Last year this festival experienced similar weather complications, where 33 people were taken to the hospital. This year, the German Red Cross reported that 72 people were taken to the hospital due to the storm — including those who were electrocuted from nearby lighting strikes, suffered asthma attacks, or injured by flying debris.
However, organizers have received some backlash on Facebook after announcing the events cancellation. Fans who attended the short lived festival criticized organizers for not canceling it sooner. They have a right to be mad for the organizers were warned about the storms multiple times prior to the festival.
Organizers hoped to resume the festival late Saturday evening; however, severe storms have been forecasted to hit festival grounds. Thus, the third and final day of the Rock Am Ring Festival has been cancelled.
The festival has been one of Germany’s most popular events, and this year’s lineup was headlined by well-known bands such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foals, Black Sabbath , Tenacious D, The Struts, and more.
Leave a Comment