Storms force evacuation of Couleur Café and Werchter Boutique festivals in Belgium
An orange storm alert from Belgium's IRM prompted the evacuation of Couleur Café in Brussels and Werchter Boutique near Leuven on Saturday evening, cancelling Katy Perry's scheduled set.
The storm warning
The Royal Meteorological Institute (IRM) placed a large part of Belgium under an orange alert for severe thunderstorms on Saturday evening. The warning covered Hainaut, Walloon Brabant, Brussels and all of inland Flanders, remaining in effect until 04:00 on Sunday. After that, the country was to stay under a yellow alert until 06:00. Wind gusts were forecast to reach up to 80 km/h.
In response, Bruxelles Environnement ordered the closure of all parks, nature reserves and forests under its management from 19:00, including the Forêt de Soignes. This decision directly affected Couleur Café, which takes place in the Osseghem park near the Atomium.
Couleur Café evacuated
Organisers asked the roughly 70,000 visitors expected over the 35th edition of Couleur Café to leave the site calmly before 20:00. No concerts were allowed after that time. The camping area was to be fully cleared by 21:00 at the latest. Belga reported on-site disappointment among festival-goers who had already gathered for the second day of the event.
The festival continues as planned tomorrow.
The festival set up a fallback location for campers at Palais 3 and 8 of Brussels Expo on avenue de l'Impératrice Charlotte. Mobility arrangements were also adjusted: the Kiss and Ride zone moved to boulevard Houba de Strooper.
Werchter Boutique follows
Shortly after 21:00, Werchter Boutique announced similar measures. The festival was stopped after Pitbull's performance, and the evacuation began. Katy Perry's concert was cancelled.
The festival will end after Pitbull's concert. Katy Perry's concert is cancelled. By shortening the programme, we guarantee a safe and normal exit for festival-goers and allow everyone to get home safely. The safety and health of everyone is our absolute priority.
Organisers confirmed that Werchter Boutique would take place as planned on Sunday.
- Bruxelles Environnement closes all parks; Couleur Café orders evacuation.
- Deadline for festival-goers to leave Couleur Café; no concerts after this time.
- Couler Café camping fully evacuated; Werchter Boutique ends after Pitbull, Katy Perry cancelled.
- Orange alert expires; Belgium drops to yellow alert until 06:00.
Sunday outlook
Both festivals are expected to resume their Sunday programmes, although further updates were promised later. The orange alert is set to lift by 04:00, with conditions improving through the morning.
