AFAS stadium's roof an "acute risk": Dutch Safety Board

The Dutch Safety Board found two more fractures and two compromised places in the roof of the AFAS stadium in Alkmaar, the Safety Board said in an interim report. These fractures and suspected cracks may lead to parts of the remaining roof collapsing. "They represent an acute risk", the Safety Board said, NOS reports.

Part of the stadium's roof collapsed during a storm on Saturday. The Safety Board's exploratory investigation showed the collapse was caused by failing weld connections. The Dutch Safety Board sent a formal interim warning about the state of the stadium's roof to the city council of Alkmaar and football club AZ. The football club must check the stability and strength of the structure and take measures where necessary.

Engineering firm Royal HaskoningDHV is currently investigating the collapse of the roof. Part of that investigation is the detailed inspection of all the weld connections in the entire roof construction, AZ said, according to the broadcaster. According to the football club, a repair plan will be drawn up based on this investigation. "AZ takes this very seriously. It goes without saying that until the moment that complete certainty can be given with regard to everyone's safety, the stands will remain closed to the public. This does not apply to the rooms in the main building."