Tomorrowland firework storage and installation under investigation by authorities 

Potential errors in the storage of fireworks at this year’s Tomorrowland are currently under investigation by Belgian authorities after a blaze ripped through the festival’s main stage structure last month.

According to a leaked email seen by Dutch media outlet VRT, the Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s Office is looking into the matter. The email was sent from the Belgian Ministry of Economy to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which later confirmed that an investigation is underway, Brussels Times reports.

According to VRT News, the email from the Ministry of Economy refers to three alleged breaches of protocol related to the storage of fireworks. Pyrotechnic devices were allegedly brought on-site too early; people who were “not supposed to be there” reportedly had access to the fireworks; and no written notification was provided to the FPS Security Control Service regarding the time of delivery and installation of the fireworks, despite it being a requirement. 

Crucially, VRT reports that there is no indication at this stage that the alleged breaches could be attributed as having caused the 16th July fire, which destroyed Tomorrowland’s main stage just two days before the festival was scheduled to get underway.

“Given that we have not been officially informed about this and that an investigation is currently being conducted by the Ministry of Economy, we feel it is appropriate not to make any public statement,” said Tomorrowland’s spokesperson of the reports surrounding the leaked email.

Tomorrowland organisers had previously stated that the festival only works with approved suppliers specialising in pyrotechnics and that they always closely follow the appropriate regulations and safety guidelines.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation as part of a separate judicial inquiry into the incident itself.

The festival still went ahead despite the blaze, with a new, smaller main stage structure being set up with the help of parts from the staging of a tour by Metallica.