A woman in Belgium was killed when a Christmas tree fell in a crowded city square during a storm that brought heavy rain and strong winds across northern Europe.
The 65-foot tree collapsed late Thursday at a busy Christmas market in Oudenaarde in western Belgium.
Reuters reported that the brightly lit tree began slowly leaning over before collapsing as a merry-go-round turned.
The 63-year-old woman died and two other people were injured in the accident,
‘Gusts of wind and the heavy rain made sure that the tree collapsed,’ Mayor Marnic De Meulemeester said. The Christmas market was immediately canceled.
The tragedy occurred around 7pm on Thursday, Protothema reported today.
‘There was a gust of wind and suddenly the tree fell,’ eyewitness Frederic Verkursh said.
“A nurse who was present coordinated us until the paramedics arrived. Some lifted the top of the tree and some others went under to pull out the trapped. One woman was injured in the leg, one in the arm, and the third was in a very serious condition.”
Problems with the tree’s installation had prompted the local authority to strengthen it last month, the Daily Mail reported.
A tragic incident unfolded in Oudenaarde, Belgium, as a pensioner lost her life under a fallen Christmas tree. The tree, collapsed due to a powerful gust of wind, injuring 3 individuals. Unfortunately, the elderly woman succumbed to her injuries in the hospital.
— godfather (@Truthgodfather) December 22, 2023
Source: 360tv pic.twitter.com/cHjz7xb2jo
The outlet continued:
Elsewhere, in the Netherlands, a woman was reportedly seriously injured Thursday by a falling tree in the eastern town of Wilp.
Streets around harbours also flooded overnight in some North Sea towns including Scheveningen, the seaside suburb of The Hague.
The huge Maeslantkering storm barrier that protects Rotterdam from high sea levels automatically closed for the first time because of high water levels – meaning that all six major storm barriers that protect the low-lying Netherlands were closed at the same time.
The nation’s water and infrastructure authority said that was also a first. By Friday morning, all six barriers were open again as winds eased.
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