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Thousands pay tribute to dead from Pukkelpop rock fest

Some 3,000 people marched in northern Belgium on Sunday, holding white roses and balloons in tribute to the victims of a deadly storm at a popular rock festival this month, local media said.

The Pukkelpop festival, starring acts such as Eminem, the Foo Fighters and The Offspring, turned into tragedy on August 18 when a violent hailstorm tore down stages and tents in the Flemish town of Hasselt, killing five people.

The marchers walked silently on Sunday from the town square to the Kiewit field where the festival is held every year, Belga news agency reported. At the site, they released the balloons and laid the roses at the gate.

The three-day festival drew 65,000 people this year but was cut short due to the storm, which also left seven seriously injured and dozens more with lighter injuries.