Cape Town - The City of Cape Town will conduct their own investigation of the events that led up to an advertising tower collapsing, killing a woman and injuring 19 other people, at a Linkin Park concert at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday.
Spokeswoman Kylie Hatton said that while the SAPS would be leading the main investigation into the tragedy, internally, the City of Cape Town and its relevant departments would be looking at “everything from the process (of erecting the structure), to the approval (regarding the safety of the tower)”.
Hatton said questions would be put to the event organisers Big Concerts, disaster management and response teams who attended the scene as well as contractors and service providers.
It’s believed Lucozade - whose banner was displayed on the collapsed structure - will also be approached during the investigation.
Hatton said the City of Cape Town would co-operate with the relevant authorities with regards to their investigation.
She said they would not release the name of the deceased because the family had not granted permission to do so.
Hatton declined to comment on whether the municipality had been in contact with the victims, 12 of whom were hospitalised after suffering physical injury during the collapse of the structure.
Meanwhile, social media exploded with news of the incident.
On Big Concerts’ Facebook page where their statement expressing sympathy and condolences for the incident was posted, fans encouraged the family of the victim to sue for damages.
A comment by Jason Ross NaIdoo read: “They should [have] looked at a weather report and reassessed if the structure was really necessary and most of all safe to have around! I think the family of the deceased should board this run away train class action law suit straight into who ever is responsible for passing that advertising tower… “
Another fan commenting on the same post criticised Linkin Park for allegedly not making reference to the incident during their performance. Larry Shane September wrote: “I think its pretty pathetic that no one had the decency to at least make an announcement during the show. I'm not impressed big concerts. This is such a tragedy on a really great concert and band. Please do right by the family of the deceased.”
Official comment from Linkin Park stated that the group where “deeply saddened” by the incident.
Linkin Park spokeswoman Kymm Britton said in a statement: “Though we have had no relationship with the sponsor or the entity responsible for erecting the structure, we take the safety of our fans very seriously and our thoughts are with all of those who were affected by this tragedy.”
The advertising tower was situated in the outer field of Cape Town Stadium and had been erected as a branding activation, according to numerous media reports. - IOL
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