June 15, 2007 17:18

Fans injured in accident at Italian festival

Venice event featuring My Chemical Romance and The Killers stopped

Photo Gallery: My Chemical Romance
Photo: Pa Photos

Several audience members have been hurt at the Heineken Jammin' Festival in Italy today (June 15) after a lighting and sound system collapsed.

According to early reports from the site, following strong winds and heavy rain, the ground under the delay towers on site, which support the lights and amps, became unsteady and fell down.

"I've never seen weather like it," one eyewitness told NME.COM. "My Chemical Romance were due to play but then the sky just went black. There were really strong winds and massive hailstones and everything just got blown away. The sound desk, tops of stages, everything. It was really shocking."

Ambulances have been called to the site, and it is believed at least nine people have been hurt and have been taken to hospital, suffering leg fractures and head injuries.

There are a number of "walking wounded" still on site, but no fatalities are reported.

Luigi Scarangella, lead singer of Italian band Le Mani, who were just leaving the stage when the weather struck recalled what happened.

"People were just running for cover," he said. "It looked like hell, but it's Mother Nature so what can you do?"

Damage caused by the weather has occurred throughout the site, and many bands are waiting to see if their equipment is salvageable. It is possible that damage caused could effect future dates by the bands involved.

The event, which was due to feature the likes of My Chemical Romance, The Killers, Linkin Park and headliners Pearl Jam, has been suspended for the day.

Tomorrow (June 16) at the festival has also been canceled, however organisers are not "writing off Sunday (17) yet".