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Pukkelpop 2012 to go ahead

By | Published on Wednesday 19 October 2011

Pukkelpop 2011

Belgian music festival Pukkelpop will go ahead next year, despite the tragedy which struck this year’s event.

As previously reported, four people were killed when a freak storm hit the festival site on the opening day of Pukkelpop 2011. Those who died were killed when a stage collapsed, but other lighting rigs and large screens also fell and around 70 people were injured. With the storm occurring on the first day of the three day festival, the event was initially postponed, and was then cancelled.

Following an investigation by the Hasselt Public Prosecutor, a ‘force majeure’ ruling was put in place, stating that the festival’s organisers could not be held liable for what happened. Which seems sensible, though this also means that attendees negative impacted by the storm cannot claim compensation on the festival’s civil liability insurance. They can make claims on their own insurance, should they have any, or from Belgium’s National Disaster Fund, although the latter will only cover direct material losses up to 250 euros.

As previously reported, the festival’s organisers set up a relief fund in the wake of the disaster, which may further compensate festival goers, and organisers announced this week that anyone who bought a ticket for the 2011 event will receive free food and drink vouchers, valued at 75 euros and 150 euros respectively, which can be used at any of the next three Pukkelpop festivals.

Confirming that their fest would take place from 16-18 Aug next year, organisers said in a statement: “Pukkelpop has suffered considerable financial losses. The festival is only be able to survive with the support of many and thanks to the strong reputation it has built up in the past. The consequences of the Pukkelpop storm will weigh heavily on Pukkelpop, the festival as well as the organisation, in the coming years”.



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