Over 80 injured in roof collapse during performance at London's Apollo Theatre

Click banner for more info

Emergency services said more than 80 people had been injured in a packed London theatre on Thursday when part of the ceiling collapsed during a performance, bringing the city's West End theatre district to a standstill.

The audience was showered with masonry and debris following the incident at the Apollo Theatre, where about 720 people including many families were watching the hugely popular play "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time".
Continue

^{© Photo: AFP}

"A section of the theatre's ceiling collapsed onto the audience who were watching the show. The ceiling took parts of the balconies down with it," said Nick Harding from London Fire Brigade.

^{© Photo: AFP}

Emergency services said there were 81 "walking wounded", many with head injuries, with seven more taken to hospital with more serious injuries. Police said they were not aware of any fatalities.

^{© Photo: AFP}

"Specialist urban search and rescue crews were also called to the scene to make sure no one was trapped. Fortunately all those who were trapped have been rescued and treated for injuries or taken to hospital," Harding said.

^{© Photo: AFP}

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.