A massive fire has torn through the main stage of Belgium's world-renowned Tomorrowland festival, just hours before the event was set to open its doors to thousands of electronic music fans.
The blaze, which erupted in the early hours of Thursday morning, completely destroyed the festival's centrepiece structure in Boom, Belgium. Dramatic footage showed flames engulfing the elaborate stage design as emergency services rushed to the scene.
Event in Jeopardy
With the festival scheduled to begin today, organisers are scrambling to assess whether the event can proceed as planned. Tomorrowland, one of Europe's largest electronic music festivals, attracts over 400,000 attendees across two weekends each year.
Local fire department spokesperson Jan Verlinden confirmed: "The main stage is completely lost. Our teams worked through the night to contain the blaze and prevent it spreading to other areas."
Safety First
Festival organisers have issued a statement assuring ticket holders that safety remains their top priority. Investigations into the cause of the fire are underway, with initial reports suggesting an electrical fault may be to blame.
The timing couldn't be worse for the festival, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Tomorrowland has become a global phenomenon, known for its spectacular stage designs and A-list DJ lineup.
Fan Reactions
Social media has been flooded with messages of support from devastated fans, many of whom had travelled from across the world to attend. Some attendees have already begun arriving at the festival site, only to be met with the shocking scene.
Authorities have set up an information point for ticket holders as organisers work on contingency plans. Updates are expected throughout the day as the situation develops.
