2023-12-22 11:00:00
The tree which fell on several passers-by, killing a woman and injuring several people, this Thursday, December 21, was already widely criticized in Oudenaarde.
He was selected by the city services in Ardennes on November 22. These same services were very surprised upon delivery a few days later: the spruce that arrived in Oudenaarde was not the one that had been chosen. This new tree had a double trunk and had been damaged during transport by truck, as revealed by our colleagues from The last news this Friday.
While many events were planned around this tree, it was unthinkable for the municipality to send it back to the Ardennes and the tree remained. On November 28, Het Laatste Nieuws reported that the tree had collapsed and was leaning. At the time, it did not fail to amuse passers-by, some of whom did not hesitate to compare it to the Tower of Pisa by taking trompe l’oeil photos. The town had tried for the first time to straighten it, but the tree did not resist the wind and storm Pia on December 21.
”The cause of the incident is still under investigation. The Christmas tree has now been removed,” said the mayor.
Some passers-by had fun taking photos usually reserved for the Tower of Pisa. ©Facebook screenshot – Nancy Poelvoorde
The Christmas market permanently closed
The Oudernarde Christmas market will not reopen, the city indicates on December 22, 2023. An expert, appointed by the public prosecutor’s office, is currently examining the circumstances of the accident.
“Everyone is affected by the serious incident,” explains the mayor of this commune in East Flanders. “Our condolences go out to the family and friends of the victim. It is therefore more than logical that we do not reopen the winter village with its Christmas market and its attractions. We have also canceled all other activities.”
The tree fell Thursday around 7 p.m. A 63-year-old woman died from her injuries while two other people were injured. An expert is studying the circumstances of the accident, said the East Flanders public prosecutor’s office.
Flags were lowered to half-mast on municipal buildings and all activities around the Christmas market were canceled.
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