Two people died prior to a tribute concert to the two male members of ABBA, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson. One man, 80, fell from the seventh floor of the concert hall in Sweden, landing on and killing another man on impact.
Police say the 80-year-old man died at the scene, when he fell and landed in the foyer of the Uppsala Konsert & Kongress near Stockholm. The man landed on two people below, killing a 60-year-old man and seriously injuring an accompanying woman.
Although taken to hospital for her injuries, police had confirmed that they are not considered to be life-threatening. Police have also confirmed that they feel no foul play had occurred in the build up to the man’s fall.
The ABBA tribute concert, due to begin 30 minutes later, had been cancelled as the emergency services attended the scene. The Uppsala Konsert & Kongress hosts concerts and other events in an eight-storey building with a mirrored façade, and angled metal sheets reminiscent of crystal.
A statement on the venue's website said they were all “shocked by the tragic accident”, sending their thoughts out to “the deceased, their relatives and their families.” Because of the deaths, the venue added it would be closed from Wednesday until Saturday, when its scheduled events would then resume.
The tragedy comes as the Swiss band prepare to release their first studio album in 40 years with Voyage, out Friday. This 10-track album was recorded at Benny Andersson's studio in Stockholm and comes ahead of a return to the stage. The Swedish pop legends are gearing up to appear as digital representations of themselves at a purpose-built venue in London next year.
