14 DAY TRIAL // Apollo theater's roof collapsed over guests during the performance of The Curious Incident of The Dog in the Night-Time, injuring seventy-six people and leaving behind a cloud of dust. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a cracking-like noise before finding themselves covered in debris.
The 112-year-old theater was almost packed when the incident occurred, 45 minutes after the beginning of the show. London skies just cleared out after a strong thunderstorm and torrential rain that overwhelmed the city, when the incident happened, notes Daily Mail.
The nearby theaters offered their lobbies as triage centers to help treat the wounded people exiting the damaged building. Luckily, most of the victims had minor injuries, bruises and cuts from the debris that fell and just seven people were reported to have more severe wounds.
When the roof collapsed, it took with it parts of the balcony and of the equipment hanged above the chairs and stage, while people started panicking in a cloud of dust. Officials intervened and casualties were taken to the hospital, while the public was asked to stay away from the affected area.
The actors were the first ones to see what was happening and started exclaiming while viewers were trying to figure out if the noises were special effects or not. “The actors just seemed to run from the stage. They had obviously seen what had happened. We initially thought it was part of the show,” one of the guests watching the performance during the incident said, according to Daily Mail.
Social media sites were filled with people reporting the incident and officials trying to reassure the population that everything is under control. For the next few days, the performances of the play have been canceled and all of those who bought tickets will be reimbursed or will be given different tickets.
Emergency workers' response was incredibly fast, managing to evacuate the building and treat the wounded. Officers are still inspecting the roof to assess the exact causes that led to Apollo's plasterwork ceiling to collapse in the middle of a show.