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Poor Sound Blamed for Roskilde Tragedy
That's what Danish investigators are saying was the main reason for the deadly crush that caused the death of nine concertgoers during a Pearl Jam set at the popular European summer fest.
In a final 24-page report released this week, police also cited a breakdown in the chain of command as another factor contributing to the tragedy.
The report, based on 977 police interviews with organizers, band members, concertgoers, emergency workers and others, said "a chain of unfortunate circumstances" led to the June 30 accident in Roskilde, Denmark, 25 miles west of Copenhagen.
Police believe poor sound quality in the back of the venue caused the crowd of some 50,000 people to surge toward the stage. Nine concertgoers lost their footing and fell to the muddy ground, where they either suffocated or were trampled in the crush. Forty-three others were hurt in the resulting melee.
While faulty sound was cited as "the most important reason for the accident," the report also noted that festival planners were late in reacting to the situation, and when they finally did, there was indecision over who should halt the concert.
"It is significant that once the concert was stopped, it took a long time to make the audience move back," noted the report.
Initial reports said the police found Pearl Jam "morally responsible" for the incident by failing to stop playing when the trampling began.
Members of Pearl Jam repeatedly told police in interviews later that they were unaware of the crush, but once informed, they immediately quit playing and tried to get the crowd to back up. Eyewitnesses confirmed the band's account. Officials later exonerated the band, blaming a translation error for the "morally responsible" charge.
The band was so affected by the traumatic incident, it canceled the remaining dates on its European tour, and even considered breaking up.
Investigators also concluded in the report that no criminal charges should be filed against the parties involved, essentially calling it an accident.
The three-day outdoor extravaganza, inspired by Woodstock and first held in 1971, is one of Europe's oldest rock festivals. Despite the tragedy, organizers say they intend to move forward with next summer's affair in honor of the fest's 30th anniversary.
The festival's official Website, www.roskilde-festival.dk, is already touting this year's edition, "Roskilde Festival 2001--30 Years of Happiness and an Accident," will have new security measures to improve safety.
"Music culture must learn from what the accident has shown us," reads a statement on the site. "Roskilde wishes to contribute to the securing of the interaction between free spirits and the music culture--and to make it safer."
Oasis and the Pet Shop Boys, both of which canceled their sets following the tragedy, have said they will donate money to help improve safety conditions.
Meanwhile, the town of Roskilde has commissioned a small grove, to be built in the shape of nine trees, as a memorial to those who lost their lives.
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