Olivia PowellA two-year-old boy has been killed after part of an ice sculpture broke off and fell on him at a Christmas market in Luxembourg.
According to RTL, the ice sculpture collapsed next to a skating rink at Place Guillaume II town square in the capital, Luxembourg City.
The boy was given immediate medical attention, but unfortunately died on his way to hospital, according to The Luxembourg Times.
The Luxembourg Times also reported the ice sculptures had been carved just hours before the accident. The sculptor who created them reportedly said this was the first time any of his sculptures had collapsed, and that he was ‘shocked’. The sculptor also reportedly said: “This does not happen, such a thing could not occur again…[The sculpture] could not fall alone, it’s impossible.”
Whilst there is currently little information on the accident, Luxembourg police told Sky News that an involuntary manslaughter investigation has been opened following the accident. They have urged witnesses to the accident to come forwards with information, as they are currently unsure why the sculptures broke apart.
Luxembourg’s prime minister Xavier Bettel said he had the ‘deepest compassion’ towards the family of the boy, and tweeted on 25 November: “I am shocked and distressed after the deadly incident at the Christmas market where a small child lost his life.”
The Christmas market and subsequent events have been cancelled, out of respect to the family.