Madonna Concert Stage Collapses, 1 Dead, More Injured

MARSEILLE, France — The roof of a stage being built for a Madonna concert in the French port city of Marseille collapsed Thursday, leaving one worker dead and nine injured, city officials said.

The roof at the Stade Velodrome stadium fell apart on top of several workers.

One worker was killed and two of the injured were seriously hurt, said Maurice Di Nocera, Marseille city councilor in charge of major events, said on France-Info radio. The seriously injured were an American and a Briton, said the Marseille central fire department. The killed worker was French. No identities were released.

Four other people had multiple injuries, including fractured bones, and three others suffered light injuries, the fire department said. All of the injured were taken to local hospitals.

Di Nocera said the roof had been about two-thirds complete when it collapsed gradually on top of several workers.

"Since it did not collapse right away, that allowed several people to get out, to avoid being hit," he said.

The cause of the roof collapse was not clear. Police and emergency officials cordoned off the area.

Madonna's "Sticky & Sweet" tour was due to arrive in Marseille on Sunday, but the concert was canceled because "rebuilding a stage, it's not possible," Di Nocera said.

Marseille prosecutors asked the regional safety agency to investigate the cause of the accident.

Comments

[Bj Decker]

I would like to clarify my last post, and say that the Huffington Post is still the best source of realistic reporting on the web. Its not right wing, its not left wing, it's reality.

I meant no slight towards the author of this article, she did a good job, I was just feeling emotional, when I posted my last comment.

Thank you Huffington Post for being there, and the best in modern journalism.

[Bj Decker]

After doing live sound proffesionally for more than a dozen years, and building many stages as a stage hand as well, and getting hurt myself, I can tell you that you would rather work on a Union crew in the States in a Union house. The IATSE is regulated as to what they are able to do from a stand point of safety.

I have been on cheap non-union crews where hammers & wrenches were falling out of the sky, and I have been on Union crews where everyone has to be tied in because of OSHA regulation. After doing thousands of shows, it is clear that it is dangerous work, and the bigger the show the higher the potential of very serious problems.

Is stage production really so foreign, to journalists, that they can't even figure out who was in charge of the roof system, what happened, or any company involved?
The story is: roof system fell, show cancelled, 1 died, (second person has now died at the hospital) another seriously injured. WHAT? Isn't that a little shallow?

I did not get a clear reading on any reason for the roof failure from this article, (or any other article) but I don't want to hear any excuses, failure should be: NONE. Somebody cut corners, period.

I am saddened for my colleagues & angry about the mismanagement of design and / or implementation of this roof system.

[henrypapillon]

Trouble follows her everywhere. And those tattoos. UGH!

[Ernaldo]

Her OTHER concert was just like that (around the 2 minute mark you can see it) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2oWWu4jKQE

[ignorantwillyharper]

I'm like her EX, why would anyone pay to this old gristle ?

[brooklyn francis]

Madonna in concert in Italy that night after the accident.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0FzsWhklfQ

[ignorantwillyharper]

Because, it's all about her.

[seachild]

notice how when the HEADLINES ARE LAME, we rarely see who the 'journalist' is!

it was during CONSTRUCTI­ON...

and now it's 2 dead

[mick7191]

With all due respect to the injured, their care didn't cost them a dime.

[hydeparksq]

of course they pay...thro­ugh taxes. higher taxes than Americans will ever see. who do you think pays for socialised care?

[Zenith1959]

What is the difference between a tax taken out of your pay and a monthly payment you send to an insurance company? Yes those horrible, socialist Europeans, with their medical care for all, 4-6 weeks of paid vacation a year, paid maternity leave, what a terrible place to live!

[StephBr]

Check your facts please before making such comments.
See how much the average Frenchman pays in taxes and compare with yours, you might be surprised.­..

[PlanetK27]

SENSATIONALIST HEADLINE makes one think that the collapse happened during a concert, but it happened during construction.

CORRECTED HEADLINE could/shoud read ..... Madonna Concert Stage Collapses during Construction, 1 Dead, More Injured

[YLS2007]

Who is interested in watching a pompous, grandmother aged has-been shaking her wrinkled old gourds at this stage?

Isn't enough ever enough?

[hwj]

You.

[CannisterShot]

Daily Mail says 2 people have died now

[zippywpinhead]

that's confirmed.­..

[ChimpNchief]

What a terrible tragedy, and I really mean that sincerely. What makes it even worse is that someone lost their life for a freaking Madonna show.

I'd much rather be gorged in the nuts during the running of the bulls in Spain.

[rini]

I'm not a guy, so I cannot be certain, but both options sound pretty horrific.

Seriously, though, I agree. What is it with these elaborate stage shows? Bread and circuses?? Really, if you are talented and have decent acoustics and lighting, what else do you need?

[rektruax]

Not much, if you're actually a musician that produces anything worth a listen.

I will say this though. While I personally don't consider what Madonna and her ilk do as particularly musical, their touring circus does employ many a tech and stage hand, providing those individuals with a means to provide for their families.

Yes the musical bar is lowered quite a bit but those who are satisfied with bright lights and a flashy show are of some use I guess.

An accident occurred, and a person was killed and some folks were injured, but think of the many people who are killed daily delivering junk food, or trucking garbage to stores.

[JDRNYC]

The theatrics and the elaborate stage set up are there to distract you from the fact that the woman can't sing and lipsynchs during her "live" performances. Great talents like Britney Spears and Ashlee Simpson do the same thing. It got so bad with Madonna that Elton John even publically called her out on it.

[DrDemon]

ewwwWWWW! ouchhhhhhhHHH!

[funnyman26]

Newspapers noted the world is in mourning when Michael Jackson died. The world would collapse if Madonna died!

[DeeDeeDaGumby]

Funnyman , I can not believe I am saying this , but , dude, timing...c­heck it...

[ChimpNchief]

Jackson had TALENT. Big difference.

[EmeraldWorld]

"The world would collapse if Madonna died!"

...No, not really.

[osocubano]

The world is in mourning?
I hadn't noticed.
I've just noticed the Jackson family trampling all over each other for publicity.

[maudefrickert]

What a stinker of a misleading headline! The words and accompanying photo imply that the accident occurred at a performance. Is there anything HP WON'T do to generate click-throughs?

[discourse jockey]

No, there isn't. Why are you even asking?

[wietog]

They are freaking good at it, though, right?

[CarrieAntigua]

I scrolled down to find anyone saying that! It is so true!! Very misleading with the photo...

[karenakarsonnn]

There haven't been many details released about it besides the amateur video uploaded to http://jjpeg.com/watch992.html -- I want more details as to why it happened!!!!!

[StephBr]

Are you n uts?
Why direct people to a site requiring the download of ring tones or other BS before letting you watch anything?