Dutch police launch probe into canal side stairs collapse

Police in the Netherlands launched a criminal investigation today into a stairway collapse during a music concert on Utrecht’s ancient central canal that left 20 people in hospital.

The injured were dancing on and under the staircase which led from street level to a quay next to the canal when it collapsed without warning sending some of them plunging onto a canal side walk or into the water, trapping people under the structure and sinking a boat that was on the canal.

Acting mayor Rinda den Besten said one person remained in intensive care in hospital and a further 10 people were still in a less serious condition.

She said the stairway appeared to have come loose from the wall, but further investigation was needed to establish exactly why.

A police officer said 10 detectives, including forensic experts, would probe the incident.

“We hope to have more clarity about what actually happened in a few days,” he told reporters in Utrecht at a press conference.