**After a devastating fire destroyed Tomorrowland's main stage just before the festival's opening, organisers face a race against time to ensure the event can proceed smoothly.**
**Tomorrowland Festival Plans Swift Recovery After Fire Destroys Main Stage**
**Tomorrowland Festival Plans Swift Recovery After Fire Destroys Main Stage**
**Organisers aim to construct a new stage in time for the popular electronic music event, amidst challenges from last night’s fire.**
The Tomorrowland festival in Belgium is racing against the clock to build a new main stage after a fire ravaged the original platform just before the event's scheduled opening. With the festival set to commence in the town of Boom, south of Antwerp, organisers are preparing to delay the start by two hours on Friday, regardless of whether the new stage is ready.
In a statement, Tomorrowland officials revealed that if a new stage cannot be erected in time, the festival will go ahead with limited capacity on Friday, promising a full experience on Saturday. Expecting around 400,000 attendees over two weekends, many festival-goers have already set up camp at the nearby Dreamville site.
Despite the chaos, no injuries were reported due to the fire, which struck Wednesday evening. Fire experts are currently investigating the cause, while local fire services have deemed the site safe. Speaking at a press conference, Tomorrowland spokeswoman Debby Wilmsen expressed hope that festival-goers would see a "nice, new stage" by Friday. In the event that the new stage is not completed, artists scheduled for the main stage will perform at the smaller Gathering Stage within Dreamville.
Festival attendee Bradley Cooper-Barnard, who traveled from London with friends, expressed his mixed emotions, noting the subdued atmosphere compared to previous years. "There's a bit of a sombre feeling around. In all of my previous years, things were lively by this time," he remarked. However, he remains optimistic about the festival experience.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Tomorrowland reflected on the loss, stating that the Orbyz main stage “wasn't just a stage... it was a living breathing world.” Emergency meetings involving festival organisers, safety experts, and local government are underway to devise contingency plans.
The fire erupted around 18:00 local time, and dramatic footage invaded social media, showing dense smoke billowing from the stage. Residents near the venue were evacuated as firefighters worked tirelessly to control the flames, including a police helicopter that was utilized to aid in the firefighting efforts.
An employee present at the scene described the situation as "an apocalyptic scene," revealing that this was a stark end to weeks of preparation for the festival. "We suddenly heard bangs and saw fire near the stage. One more day and it would have been finished. Four weeks of work... gone in half an hour," they recounted.
Since its inception in 2005, Tomorrowland has grown into the world's largest electronic dance music festival, drawing enthusiasts from across the globe, eager to immerse themselves in its vibrant atmosphere.
In a statement, Tomorrowland officials revealed that if a new stage cannot be erected in time, the festival will go ahead with limited capacity on Friday, promising a full experience on Saturday. Expecting around 400,000 attendees over two weekends, many festival-goers have already set up camp at the nearby Dreamville site.
Despite the chaos, no injuries were reported due to the fire, which struck Wednesday evening. Fire experts are currently investigating the cause, while local fire services have deemed the site safe. Speaking at a press conference, Tomorrowland spokeswoman Debby Wilmsen expressed hope that festival-goers would see a "nice, new stage" by Friday. In the event that the new stage is not completed, artists scheduled for the main stage will perform at the smaller Gathering Stage within Dreamville.
Festival attendee Bradley Cooper-Barnard, who traveled from London with friends, expressed his mixed emotions, noting the subdued atmosphere compared to previous years. "There's a bit of a sombre feeling around. In all of my previous years, things were lively by this time," he remarked. However, he remains optimistic about the festival experience.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Tomorrowland reflected on the loss, stating that the Orbyz main stage “wasn't just a stage... it was a living breathing world.” Emergency meetings involving festival organisers, safety experts, and local government are underway to devise contingency plans.
The fire erupted around 18:00 local time, and dramatic footage invaded social media, showing dense smoke billowing from the stage. Residents near the venue were evacuated as firefighters worked tirelessly to control the flames, including a police helicopter that was utilized to aid in the firefighting efforts.
An employee present at the scene described the situation as "an apocalyptic scene," revealing that this was a stark end to weeks of preparation for the festival. "We suddenly heard bangs and saw fire near the stage. One more day and it would have been finished. Four weeks of work... gone in half an hour," they recounted.
Since its inception in 2005, Tomorrowland has grown into the world's largest electronic dance music festival, drawing enthusiasts from across the globe, eager to immerse themselves in its vibrant atmosphere.
