Shocking moment Christmas tree topples over and crushes woman, 63, to death at festive market
22 December 2023, 14:35 | Updated: 22 December 2023, 16:31
A 63-year-old woman has died after being crushed by a falling Christmas tree.
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The tree toppled over near a Christmas market in the Belgian city of Oudenaarde in the midst of a heavy storm, which brought strong winds.
Security footage shows the well-lit 66ft Christmas tree toppling over before collapsing next to the Christmas market on Thursday.
The victim was a 63-year-old woman, according to the Oost-Vlaanderen province prosecutor.
Read More: White Christmas confirmed by Met Office
Kerstboom valt omver in Oudenaarde. Er valt 1 dodelijk slachtoffer. Een klimaatdode. ☝️ Vroeger waaide het niet. pic.twitter.com/9RRdB1V97r
— Koen Godderis (@koengodderis) December 22, 2023
“The investigation will focus on whether the tree had been properly secured and will also look at the impact of the weather,” a spokesman said.
Two more women were injured by the tree. Their injuries are not life-threatening.
Storm Pia has caused chaos across Europe, including the Netherlands, where a woman was killed by a falling tree on Thursday.
Meanwhile, in the UK, the weather has contributed to travel chaos across the country, with a number of aeroplanes struggling to land during strong winds.
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