Rock am Ring is one of the most popular festivals in Germany and has been staged since 1985.
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Rock am Ring music festival in Germany has been cancelled on its third day after lightning strikes injured more than 70 fans on Saturday.
Performances were suspended on Saturday during continued thunderstorms, forcing numerous 92,000 fans at the open-air event to shelter in cars and tents. At least eight people were hospitalised, according to the German Red Cross. The BBC reports that, earlier this morning, local authorities revoked the license for the festival, thereby forcing the cancellation.
Some 92,500 people had to clear the festival grounds.
Rock am Ring’s website had warned fans about the possible weather condition but did not cancel the event after Saturday’s injuries. “Because of the risky situation, we ask you to go back home by Sunday noon”.
Germany, France and Belgium have been hit by severe storms that caused heavy flooding and at least 16 deaths in recent days.
This marks the second year the festival has been plagued by weather issues, with 33 people hospitalized in 2015 after a lightning strike.
Organisers of Rock Am Ring in Mendig pulled the plug on the weekend event on Sunday morning (05Jun16) “out of responsibility for the welfare” of nearly 90,000 festival-goers. It was due to have finished on Sunday evening.
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Red Hot Chili Peppers were among several bands, including Black Sabbath, Foals, Deftones and We Are Scientists, who were on the line-up.
