A festive scene turned to horror in Oudenaarde, Belgium, when a massive Christmas tree toppled over during a severe storm, killing a 63-year-old woman and leaving two others with minor injuries.
The incident occurred in the historic town square, next to a Christmas market bustling with holiday activity on Thursday, December 21.
The towering tree, standing at an impressive 66 feet tall, was a central feature of the town’s Christmas market. As Storm Pia battered western Europe with fierce winds, the tree began to lean perilously before collapsing. The harrowing moment, captured on security cameras, showed the brightly lit tree toppling over while a nearby merry-go-round continued its rotations, unaware of the unfolding tragedy.
Authorities responded to the scene, where the victim, a resident of Oudenaarde, was found fatally injured. Two other women, also from Oudenaarde, sustained light injuries in the incident. The aftermath of the tree’s fall prompted immediate questions about the security measures in place, with investigations focusing on whether the tree had been properly secured, considering the storm’s impact.
Storm Pia, which had earlier disrupted traffic across the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, hit western Belgium particularly hard. The weather service had issued a yellow code warning for coastal areas in anticipation of the storm, which brought not only high winds but also heavy rain across northern Europe.
The town’s Christmas market, usually a hub of festivity and community gathering, was immediately canceled following the incident. Investigation into the incident is ongoing.