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Woman dies after Christmas tree falls on her in Belgian market

22 Dec 2023 06:16pm
Photo for illustrative purposes only. Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP
Photo for illustrative purposes only. Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP

BRUSSELS - A woman was killed after a 20 metre high Christmas tree fell on her at a Christmas market in Belgium on Thursday, German news agency (dpa) reported citing local media.

The huge conifer at the Christmas market in the city of Oudenaarde, some 50 kilometres west of Brussels, could not withstand a strong gust of wind on Thursday evening, the Belgian news agency Belga reported.

The tree fell on three people, one of whom died a short time later in hospital from her serious injuries. It initially remained unclear whether the huge, festively decorated Christmas tree was poorly secured.

Videos showed the tree moving dramatically in the wind before it fell. Local media cited Oudenaarde Mayor Marnic De Meulemeester as saying that heavy rains and winds gusting to force 6 had brought the tree down.

The scene of the accident has been cordoned off and authorities are investigating.

The broadcaster VRT reported, citing an eyewitness, that around 20 people lifted the tree immediately after the accident and freed two of the victims. The third person was then rescued by emergency workers. -BERNAMA-DPA

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