HASSELT, Belgium (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Though Pukkelpop organizers have been official cleared of liability by the Hasselt Public Prosecutor, the festival may be on the hook for significant losses.
Festival organizers had taken out civil liability insurance for the event, but the Public Prosecutor's determination that the tragic windstorm at the festival was a case of force majeure means that the festival's civil liability insurance cannot be relied upon to cover the damages suffered during the Pukkelpop storm. This means that affected victims can only apply for damages with their own insurance provider or with the National Disaster Fund.
According to Pukkelpop's organizers, their main concern is that victims are not left without recourse and they have established an independent relief fund for the victims and their loved ones.
Pukkelpop is also grappling with compensating 2011 ticket holders for the event. The storm struck on the opening night of the festival, and the event's organizers canceled the remainder of the event.
The festival's organizers have announced that they are formulating a plan to address refunds and the future financial viability of the festival, with details to be announced before November 15th. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
