Organizers of a huge rock music festival in Germany have canceled the final day of the three-day event after lightning strikes injured at least 72 fans.
More thunderstorms are in the forecast.
Rock am Ring organizers said in a post on the group’s Facebook page the decision to cancel the event came “out of responsibility for the welfare” of the 92,000 fans who were forced to seek shelter in cars and tents during the peak of the bad weather Saturday.
The festival is one of the most popular in Germany and has been held annually since 1985. Several prominent international artists were scheduled to perform this year, including the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Black Sabbath.
Organizers suspended the event Saturday after two days of heavy rain and lightning, but decided to formally close it Sunday after authorities revoked its license.
Germany and other European countries have been ravaged by severe storms and flooding over the past few weeks.
At least 18 people have been killed in flooding across parts of Germany, France, Romania and Belgium.
