Pretoria - One person was fatally injured and 19 others hurt when a temporary scaffolding structure in the Cape Town Stadium precinct collapsed before the rock band Linkin Park was due to play at a concert.
According to Kylie Hatton, Manager: Media City of Cape Town, the city's emergency services, including doctors, paramedics and disaster risk management staff assisted the people who were injured in the incident, which was believed to be caused by high winds.
They were taken to nearby hospitals for further medical attention. One of the injured later died in hospital.
"The incident occurred at approximately 6:55pm 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," said Hatton.
She said soon after the stadium gates were re-opened to concert attendees and the concert went ahead as planned.
The band has on their Facebook page expressed their "heartfelt condolences" to the family of the fan who passed away.
"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," said the band on their page. - SAnews.gov.za
