Tent Collapse at Virginia Church Anniversary Kills One, Injures Nearly Two Dozen

A large tent used for a 20th-anniversary celebration at a nondenominational church in Virginia collapsed on Friday evening, killing one person and injuring 22 others, officials said. Eleven victims were taken to a local hospital while another eleven received treatment at the scene, according to emergency-services spokesperson Basinger.

Police Lieutenant Johnston described the aftermath as chaotic while responders worked to account for everyone inside the structure as a thunderstorm continued.

Senior pastor Troy Keaton said he had just approached the stage to ask attendees to move to their cars when a gust of wind caused the tent to give way.

The tent was designed to seat up to 1,500 people, though it was not immediately known how many were inside at the time of the collapse. Authorities are collecting evidence as part of an ongoing investigation.