Tens of thousands of attendees have flocked to Tomorrowland in Boom, Belgium, following a catastrophic fire that ravaged the festival's main stage just before its launch. Festival organizers have reassured fans that Tomorrowland will carry on despite the loss, stating they are devoted to exploring alternative arrangements. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the Wednesday evening blaze, which has left experts investigating the cause.
The eagerly anticipated electronic dance music festival is set to kick off this Friday, with expectations of drawing around 400,000 attendees over two weekends. Renowned artists, including David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia, and Charlotte De Witte, are lined up for performances.
Local fire officials have declared the festival site safe, with discussions now focusing on whether the stage's remnants should be demolished before the event begins. DreamVille, the official campsite, has opened its doors, and organizers remain hopeful that the festival's plans will proceed on schedule.
In a heartfelt Instagram update on Thursday, Tomorrowland expressed their profound emotions, describing the Orbyz main stage as "a living breathing world." A nighttime brainstorming session was held to explore solutions, with safety experts and government representatives meeting to form a contingency plan. Mayor Jurgen Callaerts of nearby Rumst emphasized that canceling the festival is their least desired option, indicating afternoon discussions on potential alternatives to the main stage.
The destructive fire ignited around 18:00 local time on Wednesday, engulfing the stage in thick, black smoke, and prompting evacuations in the nearby area while firefighters battled the blazes. Witnesses reported chaotic scenes as the fire erupted. One worker described the situation as "apocalyptic," underscoring the immediacy of the disaster as they had nearly completed preparations for the festival.
Tomorrowland, which commenced in 2005, has evolved into the world's largest electronic dance music festival, drawing fans globally to its vibrant celebrations.
