Smoke rose high above the Belgian city of Boom this week as a massive fire engulfed the main stage of Tomorrowland—just days before tens of thousands were set to arrive for one of Europe’s biggest electronic music festivals.

The flames didn’t stop at the stage. A nearby building with a recreational area also caught fire. Emergency crews acted quickly, evacuating around 1,000 staff members who were working onsite. Miraculously, no one was injured.

As of now, the cause of the blaze remains under investigation. Despite the scale of the damage, Tomorrowland organizers have confirmed the festival will go on. Events planned for Thursday, which are set to take place at a different venue, will proceed as scheduled. However, the fate of Friday’s performances—initially set for the now-destroyed main stage—is uncertain.

Founded in 2005, Tomorrowland has become a global phenomenon, famous not just for its music but for its jaw-dropping stage designs and dreamlike atmosphere. Over the years, the festival has welcomed the world’s biggest EDM artists, including David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia, Armin van Buuren, and Paul van Dyk.

Last year, more than 400,000 fans from around the world attended the festival. Now, with less than 48 hours before the party begins, organizers face a massive logistical challenge: how to deliver Tomorrowland’s signature spectacle—without its centerpiece.

photo: @HLN_BE