Woman killed by falling Christmas tree

Authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident in Oudenaarde.

OUDENAARDE: In a devastating incident during stormy weather, a large Christmas tree toppled over at a Christmas market in the historic town square of Oudenaarde, claiming the life of a 63-year-old woman and leaving two others injured. The tragic event unfolded on Thursday, captured by security cameras and broadcasted by Belgian news media.

The 20-meter-high Christmas tree, adorned with festive lights, can be seen in footage slowly leaning before collapsing next to a Christmas market stall as a merry-go-round turned in the square. The victim, identified as a resident of Oudenaarde, lost her life in the incident, while two other women from the same town sustained light injuries.

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A spokesperson for the Oost-Vlaanderen province prosecutor revealed that the investigation will focus on determining whether the Christmas tree had been properly secured and will also assess the impact of the adverse weather conditions. Storm Pia, which disrupted traffic in the UK and the Netherlands, hit western Belgium, prompting the weather service to issue a yellow code warning for coastal areas.

The tragic consequences of the storm extended beyond Belgium, as a woman in the Netherlands lost her life on Friday after being struck by a falling tree during Storm Pia on the previous day. The victim, employed by healthcare organization ZoZijn, succumbed to her injuries.

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As authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident in Oudenaarde, the community grapples with the aftermath of the unforeseen tragedy, emphasizing the need for thorough safety measures during adverse weather conditions, especially in public spaces hosting festive events.