UNITED KINGDOM: Sixty-five people are injured as part of a ceiling collapsed at London's Apollo Theatre

Record ID: 216427

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: Sixty-five people are injured as part of a ceiling collapsed at London's Apollo Theatre
  • Date: 20th December 2013
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (DECEMBER 19, 2013) (REUTERS) AMBULANCES PARKED OUTSIDE THEATRE SIGN READING "APOLLO" AMBULANCE ARRIVING AT SCENE STREET OUTSIDE THEATRE STRETCHER BEING TAKEN INSIDE POLICE OFFICIALS AT SCENE POLICE WALKING THEATRE EXTERIOR POLICE TALKING TO PEOPLE WOMEN IN BANDAGES BEING ESCORTED EXTERIOR OF THEATRE INJURED WOMAN BEING ESCORTED POLICE TALK
  • Embargoed: 4th January 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Accidents
  • Reuters ID: LVA1PP82X1NYVDKLDY7W25RFV403
  • Story Text: Emergency services said 65 people had been injured in a packed London theatre on Thursday (December 19) when part of the ceiling collapsed during a performance, showering the audience with masonry and debris.
    The incident occurred at about 20:30 GMT at the Apollo Theatre, where many families were among the audience for "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time".
    The London Ambulance Service said 65 people had been treated, including five taken to hospital with more serious injuries. The London Fire Brigade said all those who were trapped had now been freed.
    Witnesses said the ceiling in the four-storey, 775-seat auditorium had simply collapsed during the performance, sending those inside into a panic when they realised it was not part of the play. People were quickly ushered out of the theatre.
    A Reuters reporter at the scene said emergency vehicles had blocked off Shaftesbury Avenue in the heart of London's theatreland.
    Those injured inside the Apollo, which first opened its doors in February 1901, were taken to another theatre nearby.
    Police said the cause of the collapse was unclear, but there was no suggestion that it was the result of any deliberate act or attack.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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