Investigations launched into AFAS stadium roof collapse

The Dutch Safety Board launched an exploratory investigation into the partial collapse of the AFAS stadium's roof during a storm in Alkmaar on Saturday. Football team AZ is also conducting an independent investigation. The stadium is currently inaccessible, which means that AZ can play no home matches at the stadium for the time being, NU.nl reports.

The roof above the Molenaar grandstand in the Alkmaar stadium came down during strong winds on Saturday. The Dutch Safety Board will decide based on the findings of the exploratory investigation whether a larger investigation needs to be launched.

No one was injured. "But dozens of people could have died", VVD parliamentarian Daniel Koerhuis said to NH Nieuws, calling for a parliamentary debate on the roof collapse. "I am very shocked. It is a relatively new stadium." He wants to make sure that the stadium, which opened in 2006, was properly built.

Football club AZ is also investigating the collapse. On Sunday the football club called in engineering and consultancy firm Royal HaskoningDHV to conduct an independent investigation.

Until it is certain that the stadium is safe, no matches will be played at the AFAS. AZ will announce where its upcoming home matches will be played as soon as possible, the team said on Twitter on Sunday. The team has a home match against FC Mariupol scheduled for Thursday, and one against FC Groningen three days later.

Jong AZ's home match against Telstar on Monday evening has already been moved to the training complex in Wijdewormer, according to NU.nl.