One person was killed and 22 others were injured Friday when severe weather caused a tent to collapse at a church gathering in a small Virginia community, according to local officials.
The collapse happened Friday night during an outdoor service at East Lake Community Church in Moneta, Virginia.
Bedford County officials said 11 people were taken to nearby hospitals, while another 11 were treated at the scene for minor injuries. One person was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities classified the incident as a mass casualty event.
In a post on social media, East Lake Community Church Pastor Troy Keaton said that “one of our dear brothers suffered a fatal injury.”
“Our church family suffered a great tragedy tonight after an outdoor tent collapsed during a celebration service for our 20th anniversary,” Keaton wrote on Facebook. “Just as I had walked to the stage to release people to their cars, a burst of wind picked up the tent.”
Bedford County officials said that prior to the tent collapse, a severe storm cell moved through the area, bringing heavy rain, lightning and strong winds, which caused the tent structure to fail. The tent had passed an inspection conducted by the Bedford County Division of Building Inspections on Tuesday.
Moneta is located about 40 miles southwest of Lynchburg.
