Rock Am Ring Festival Sees More Than 70 Injured In Lightning Strike

The festival has been suspended following the storm.

At least 71 people have been injured after lightening struck at a music festival.

Stormy weather struck at the Rock am Ring festival on Friday night, injuring scores of people.

Police said that 71 people were hospitalised after lightening struck at the music festival in Mendig, western Germany.

Mayen police spokesman Lars Brummer told the Associated Press that "a number of those hospitalised have been discharged again."

People walk between destroyed tents after a thunderstorm hit the Rock am Ring festival
People walk between destroyed tents after a thunderstorm hit the Rock am Ring festival
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Organisers have now suspended the festival.

Klaus-Peter Schulenberg, chairman of the Eventim company, said organisers are following orders from local authorities to put the festival on hold after more warnings of bad weather.

Schulenberg said Saturday that visitors are being urged to take shelter, but the event may resume around 8pm (local time) if weather improves.

The festival held at a former airfield near Mendig, about around 62 miles (100km) west of Frankfurt, is one of the most popular in Germany.

Performers this year include Tenacious D, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Black Sabbath.

Germany is among a number of European countries suffering from terrible weather.

Much of Europe has been hit by terrible weather this week
Much of Europe has been hit by terrible weather this week
GUILLAUME SOUVANT via Getty Images

Heavy rain in central Europe has left at least 14 people dead and forced thousands from their homes.

The Seine has left many parts of Paris flooded and forced both the Louvre and Musee d’Orsay to close their doors on Thursday and Friday to take emergency measures to protect priceless exhibits.

There was some sign of improvement however, as French officials said on Saturday that the flood waters had begun to recede after rising to their highest for nearly 35 years overnight.

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