A woman has died, and 19 others were injured, after scaffolding collapsed at a Linkin Park concert in Cape Town, South Africa.
The temporary scaffolding outside Green Point stadium came down in high winds just before the concert on Wednesday.
A statement from the band expressed “deep sadness and concern for those injured and our heartfelt condolences to the family of the fan who died”.
The concert went ahead, with the band only learning of the death afterwards.
“One person passed away last night as a result of injuries. It was a female individual. She passed away after she was taken to hospital,” said city spokeswoman Kylie Hatton.
Twelve people were taken to hospital following the accident, when a strong gust of wind blew over a promotional billboard.
‘Extreme sadness’
“Following our performance tonight at Cape Town Stadium, we were advised that several people were injured as a result of the collapse of an advertising tower erected by Lucozade in the parking area outside the venue,” said a statement on the band’s website.
“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.”
GlaxoSmithKline, parent company of Lucozade, who sponsored the shows, tweeted from their local Lucozade account: “GSK & Lucozade express their shock and extreme sadness about the accident last night. Our immediate concern is for victims & their families and our thoughts and prayers are with them.”
Linkin Park – who topped the UK album charts in July with Living Things – are currently on a tour of South Africa, with a further concert scheduled in Johannesburg this weekend.
They return to the US to perform at the American Music Awards next week.
