A tragic incident unfolded in Oudenaarde, Belgium, as a 65-foot-tall Christmas tree collapsed, resulting in the death of a 63-year-old woman. Two others suffered injuries in the incident, which occurred during stormy weather in the region.
Security camera footage captured the brightly-lit Christmas tree slowly leaning and eventually falling beside a Christmas market in the town square. The victim, a resident of Oudenaarde, lost her life, while two women from the same town sustained minor injuries.
The Oost-Vlaanderen province prosecutor’s office has initiated an investigation to determine whether the tree had been properly secured and the impact of the adverse weather conditions at the time.
Storm Pia, which disrupted traffic in parts of the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, also affected western Belgium. The Belgian weather service had issued yellow code warnings for coastal areas due to the storm’s intensity.
This tragic event follows a similar incident in the Netherlands, where a woman succumbed to injuries after being struck by a falling tree during the storm.
Rail travel in Germany also faced disruptions due to the storm, causing cancellations on multiple routes. Fallen trees damaged overhead wires and tracks, primarily in northern Germany and the state of Hesse, impacting both national and long-distance services.
The storm’s impact extended beyond Belgium and Germany, with flooding reported in Hamburg, Germany, and streets around harbors in the Netherlands. Coastal areas faced warnings of significant storm surges, heightening concerns about potential flooding.
These incidents underscore the severity of the storm’s impact across Europe, prompting authorities to assess safety measures and responses to extreme weather conditions.
