One person was killed and 22 more people were injured when a large outdoor tent “catastrophically failed” and collapsed due to severe weather conditions at a church service in Virginia on June 12, officials said.
The collapse happened at about 6:45 p.m. ET during an anniversary celebration for EastLake Community Church in Moneta, Virginia, a small community of fewer than 500 residents near Roanoke, according to officials in Bedford County and the church’s pastor.
Heavy rain, lightning and strong winds rolled through the region from a “severe storm cell,” Bedford County said in a statement. According to the National Weather Service office in Blacksburg, Virginia, the area was under a severe thunderstorm watch at the time of the incident. Forecasters warned of hail, lightning and wind gusts up to 70 mph.
“The weather conditions caused the tent structure to fail,” Bedford County said.
EastLake Community Church Pastor Troy Keaton said the tent was picked up by a “burst of wind” just as he had walked up on stage to “release people to their cars.” Abbey Johnston, Chief of Fire and Rescue for Bedford County, said at a news conference that the pastor was in the process of evacuating people from the tent due to changes in the weather.
The Moneta fire chief was present when the tent failed and quickly began rescue efforts, Johnston said.
“I’m told it was a very chaotic scene trying to account for individuals,” she said.
Officials said the tent had passed county inspection just days earlier. The roughly 21,000-square-foot rented tent had a capacity of 1,500 people, Johnston said, and had been “properly secured.”
One person died at the scene, 11 were taken to hospitals by ambulance for treatment and 11 more were treated at the scene for minor injuries, the county said. The victims’ identities were not released.
“Our church family suffered a great tragedy tonight after an outdoor tent collapsed during a celebration service for our 20th anniversary,” Keaton said. “Sadly one of our dear brothers suffered a fatal injury. Our hearts are broken for his precious family.”
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger said she was grateful for the quick response from first responders.
“I am praying for the EastLake Community Church and all who are impacted, and we will continue to support the community during this difficult time,” Spanberger said.
