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Madonna stage accident kills two | Madonna stage accident kills two |
(10 minutes later) | |
A second person has died following the collapse of a stage being constructed for a Madonna concert in France. | A second person has died following the collapse of a stage being constructed for a Madonna concert in France. |
The 32-year-old British man had been in intensive care on a neurosurgery ward in Marseilles and died overnight. | |
Technicians had been setting up the stage at the city's Velodrome stadium when the partially-built roof fell in on Thursday, bringing down a crane. | |
A 53-year-old French worker was killed outright in the accident, which took place at around 1715 (1515 GMT). | |
Madonna said she was "devastated" by the news. Her concert, planned for Sunday, has been cancelled. | |
Up to a dozen people are believed to have been beneath the stage when the roof collapsed. | |
Five of the eight injured are said to be in a serious condition. | |
'Shaking and collapsing' | 'Shaking and collapsing' |
The 60,000-seater Velodrome is France's second-biggest sports arena and home to the Olympique de Marseille football club. | The 60,000-seater Velodrome is France's second-biggest sports arena and home to the Olympique de Marseille football club. |
Fire-fighters said the accident occurred when the roof of the stage became unbalanced as it was being lifted by four cranes, toppling one of them. | Fire-fighters said the accident occurred when the roof of the stage became unbalanced as it was being lifted by four cranes, toppling one of them. |
The planned concert was part of Madonna's Sticky and Sweet tour | The planned concert was part of Madonna's Sticky and Sweet tour |
About 50 people from a range of nationalities were working to set up the structure, city sports official Richard Miron said. | About 50 people from a range of nationalities were working to set up the structure, city sports official Richard Miron said. |
The roof "started shaking and collapsing" gradually, said Marseilles city councillor Maurice Di Nocera. | The roof "started shaking and collapsing" gradually, said Marseilles city councillor Maurice Di Nocera. |
"Since it did not collapse right away that allowed several people to get out, to avoid being hit," he said. | |
Madonna, who is performing on her Sticky and Sweet tour, was in Udine, Italy, when she was told of the incident. | |
"I am devastated to have just received this tragic news," she said in a statement released by the organisers of the concert. | "I am devastated to have just received this tragic news," she said in a statement released by the organisers of the concert. |
"My prayers go out to those who were injured and their families, along with my deepest sympathy to all those affected by this heartbreaking news." | "My prayers go out to those who were injured and their families, along with my deepest sympathy to all those affected by this heartbreaking news." |