SCOTS band Glasvegas have spoken of their shock after the deaths of five fans who were killed during a freak storm at a music festival.
The Glasgow-based musicians had just left the stage when torrential rain and a gale-force wind hit the Pukkelpop festival in Belgium on Thursday.
Up to 100 people were injured in the storm as panicking crowds struggled to escape falling trees and a collapsing stage.
Lead guitarist Robert Allan said the scenes were like “something from Jurassic Park”.
He said: “We had just come off stage, I went inside for a few minutes and then when I came back out the sky had turned black, it was a completely different day.
“Massive hailstones were coming down and it was just really noisy. Mark Ronson had been in a tent that collapsed and he came in absolutely soaking wet.
“When we heard ambulances we knew it was pretty bad and then we were told that someone had died and it was just horrible.
“People go to festivals to have a good time, people don’t think they’re going to a festival and never going home again. It’s so sad.
“We were all just really quiet last night, we were just hoping that the people who were injured would be alright.
“All we can do now is give our thoughts to the people who have lost their lives and their families.”
Band co-manager Denise Allan – sister of lead singer James Allan – who was at the gig, said: “It was a horrendous experience, the band were totally shocked and devastated by what happened.
“As we started hearing the news of people dying and lots of people being injured, the band were absolutely gutted. There was a very heavy atmosphere as they just knew there were some unfortunate souls out there.
“They were talking about it all night and are heartbroken for the families of those who died.”
Ms Allan said the band were in a catering tent when the storm broke, but managed to escape most of it by moving to portable cabins designated for performers.
She said: “It had been really warm all day but as the band came off stage dark clouds started to form. We knew it was going to start raining, but we didn’t know just how bad it was going to be.
“The whole tent was being battered about and you just knew the structure couldn’t handle it. It only lasted around 20 to 30 minutes but it was a total shock.
“The place just looked a total mess, with branches everywhere and everything toppled over. People just couldn’t believe it.
“The band had finished their set and basically an hour later the place was destroyed.”
The three-day festival – which was set to feature acts such as the Foo Fighters and Eminem –has now been cancelled.
Organisers said they were “deeply moved” by what had happened and could not carry on.
A spokesman said: “Pukkelpop is in deep mourning. We truly sympathise with the families and friends of the victims.
“Words are not enough. We have struggled with the decision to continue the festival. Therefore we have decided to cancel Pukkelpop 2011.
“We want to make our hearts and our minds silent for the festival-goers whom we lost and the ones who were injured.
“What has happened is very exceptional and could not have been predicted. We are deeply moved by all the spontaneous support the festival-goers and the organisers have received.
Ms Allan added: “I think cancelling the festival is absolutely the right thing to do. It’s just respectful. How could people have celebrated and had a good time when others have been left devastated.”
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