Thousands Evacuated At Easterfest

Thousands of Christian music fans at the three-day Easterfest in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, were evacuated when the main tent split under the weight of water April 23.

Substantial rain fell on the site in half an hour.

Outgoing CEO Isaac Moody said 15,000 to 20,000 fans – the event attracted 30,000 – had already arrived on site when one of the three tents split. No one was hurt, police confirmed, although there was considerable panic.

The tent had been cleared for 15 minutes before it collapsed. Former Newsboys singer Pete Furler had just played his first solo set.
During the evacuation, headliners Switchfoot played to a crowd of 3,000.

Some shows were canceled when the East Creek broke its banks and caused minor flooding in Queens Park while others were moved to venues in the city.

Up to 4,000 campers were moved to three evacuation centres in local churches.

The next day, the sun shone brightly, and Easterfest resumed without incident.