AZ's stadium roof collapses in high winds

Part of the roof of the AFAS Stadium in Alkmaar caved in on Saturday, with no reported injuries.

Published : Aug 11, 2019 10:29 IST

AZ's AFAS Stadium, where part of the roof collapsed. The side was scheduled to play Mariupol in a Europa League qualifying match here next Thursday.
AZ's AFAS Stadium, where part of the roof collapsed. The side was scheduled to play Mariupol in a Europa League qualifying match here next Thursday.
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AZ's AFAS Stadium, where part of the roof collapsed. The side was scheduled to play Mariupol in a Europa League qualifying match here next Thursday.

A section of Dutch club AZ Alkmaar’s stadium's roof collapsed on Saturday during owing to high winds, but there were no reported injuries. Images show part of one of the AFAS Stadium's stands caved in, with roof panels having fallen onto the seats below.

General manager Robert Eenhoorn told a news conference: "This surprised all of us.

"We've very shocked but particularly happy there was no human suffering. In the coming days, we'll conduct a review with experts in this field. Only when that investigation has been done can we elaborate on this matter.

"No matches will be played in the stadium if the situation is not safe. As soon as more is clear about our upcoming matches, we'll report it as soon as possible."

AZ was due to play Mariupol in a Europa League qualifying match next Thursday and an Eredivisie game against Groningen three days later at the stadium.

The ground was built in 2006 and has a capacity of 17,000.

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