This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8154643.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Madonna concert stage collapses Madonna stage collapses in France
(about 1 hour later)
A stage being constructed for a concert by pop star Madonna in France has collapsed, killing one person and injuring six, police say. A stage being built in France for a concert by pop star Madonna has collapsed, killing one worker and injuring six, emergency services say.
Technicians were setting up the stage at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille when the partially built roof fell in at around 1715 (1515 GMT). Technicians had been setting up the stage at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille when the partially-built roof fell in, bringing down a crane.
The concert, planned for Sunday, 19 July, has now been cancelled, officials announced. A French worker, 53, was killed and two of those hurt, a Briton and a US citizen, were seriously injured.
It was part of the European leg of the Madonna's Sticky and Sweet tour. Madonna said she was "devastated" by news of the accident.
The cause of the accident was not clear. The concert, planned for Sunday, was cancelled.
The 60,000-seater Velodrome is France's second-biggest sports arena and home to the Olympique de Marseille football club.
'Shaking and collapsing'
Fire-fighters said the accident occurred when the roof of the stage became unbalanced as it was being lifted by four cranes, toppling one of the cranes which crashed on to the structure below.
The planned concert was part of Madonna's Sticky and Sweet tour
About 50 people from a range of nationalities were working to set up the structure, city sports official Richard Miron said.
Up to a dozen people are believed to have been underneath the stage when the accident occurred at around 1715 (1515 GMT).
The roof "started shaking and collapsing" gradually, said Marseille city councillor Maurice Di Nocera.The roof "started shaking and collapsing" gradually, said Marseille city councillor Maurice Di Nocera.
"Since it did not collapse right away, that allowed several people to get out, to avoid being hit," he said."Since it did not collapse right away, that allowed several people to get out, to avoid being hit," he said.
Two of the injuries were serious, Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux said. Madonna, who is performing on her Sticky and Sweet tour, was in Udine, Italy, when she received news of the incident.
"I am devastated to have just received this tragic news," she said in a statement released by the organisers of the concert.
"My prayers go out to those who were injured and their families along with my deepest sympathy to all those affected by this heartbreaking news."