Fire destroys main stage at Belgium's Tomorrowland festival on eve of opening
There were no injuries, organisers said, insisting they would still go ahead with the festival over the next two weekends.
Images shared on local news sites and social media showed flames and plumes of black smoke engulfing the stage and spreading to nearby woodland.
'Due to a serious incident and fire on the Tomorrowland Mainstage, our beloved Mainstage has been severely damaged,' the organisers posted on the event's website. 'We can confirm that no one was injured during the incident.'
The statement said the focus was now on 'finding solutions' for the festival weekend.
About 100,000 people are expected in the town of Boom, with many planning to camp on site. The festival's DreamVille campsite would open as planned on Thursday, organisers said.
Several dozen DJs and electronic music stars – including David Guetta, Lost Frequencies, Armin Van Buuren and Charlotte de Witte – will perform from Friday for the first weekend, with two-thirds of the events split between the now destroyed main stage and the freedom stage.
Several hundred firefighters had worked to save the main stage. Antwerp prosecutors have opened an investigation, though they said the fire appeared accidental.
Founded 20 years ago by two Belgian brothers, Tomorrowland has become an internationally renowned brand.
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