20 metre Christmas tree kills woman in Belgium
A woman died after a 20 metre high Christmas tree fell on her at a Christmas market in Belgium, local media reported on Friday.
The Belgian news agency Belga said that the huge conifer at the Christmas market in the city of Oudenaarde, some 50 kilometres west of Brussels could not withstand a strong gust of wind.
The tree fell on three people, one of whom died shortly later in the hospital from her serious injuries. It remained unclear whether the huge, festively decorated Christmas tree was poorly secured.
Videos showed the tree moving dramatically in the wind before it fell. Local media cited Oudenaarde Mayor Marnic De Meulemeester as saying that heavy rains and winds had brought the tree down.
The scene of the accident was cordoned off and authorities were investigating.
The broadcaster VRT reported, citing an eyewitness, that around 20 people lifted the tree immediately after the accident to freed two of the victims.
However, the third person was then rescued by emergency workers.
dpa/NAN
