Grandstand collapses at cricket stadium during Sri Lanka v Australia Test
The roof on a temporary grandstand at the Galle International Stadium in Sri Lanka has collapsed due to heavy rain and wind before the scheduled start of play on day two of the Test between the host nation and Australia.
The roof, which covered a concreted seating area, buckled under torrential rain and strong winds, with sheets of corrugated iron blew off the structure.
No spectators were sitting in the stand - which had been full on day one of the Test - when the roof collapsed.
On a morning of weather disruption in Sri Lanka's south, rain began falling as strong gusts blew off the coastline about 90 minutes before the scheduled start of day two of the first Test on Thursday.
A heavy wind warning was issued for the Galle region, with the area expecting gusts in excess of 60 kilometres per hour later in the day.
Ground staff managed to keep the entire ground covered as they battled to put tyres over large tarpaulin covers to keep them on the grass.
In the minutes before the incident, metal sheets from the eastern stand, which had only been secured by rope in the days before the match, could be seen becoming loose.
A large glass panel at the front of a marquee, which hosted tour groups on day one, also fell and smashed.
Broadcast camera platforms were also damaged during the storm.
Play resumed later in the day after the bad weather subsided.
The 35,000-capacity venue, sited next to the historic Galle Fort, is widely considered to be one of the world’s most picturesque cricket grounds.
Image: The temporary grandstand at Galle International Stadium after its collapse. Credit: Adam Collins/Twitter.
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