Alberta meditation centre tent collapses in high winds, killing 1 and injuring dozens

BUSBY, Alta. — One person died and dozens were injured after a large tent collapsed at a Buddhist monastery northwest of Edmonton during powerful winds.

RCMP Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said there were as many as 100 people in and around the tent at the Westlock Meditation Centre near Busby, Alta., on Wednesday afternoon.

“Ultimately, we hope to determine exactly what circumstances may have led to this,” he said Thursday.

“We do know, though, that extreme winds were a major contributing factor.”

Savinkoff said of those hurt, several were seriously injured and there were about 50 minor injuries ranging from bumps and bruises to broken bones.

Local RCMP were assisted by officers from nearby detachments, as well as ambulance and fire crews. Occupational Health and Safety investigators were also at the scene.

“We do have investigators that are on site. They’re going to be interviewing everybody there. So as you can imagine, that’s quite the large investigation,” Savinkoff said.

The mediation centre, run by the Edmonton Buddhist Research Institute, says on its website it can accommodate more than 750 guests on its grounds. The site includes gardens, residences for monks and nuns, accommodations for retreat guests, a formal meditation hall and a mausoleum.

The institute says it created the meditation centre near Busby after retreats and cultural events at its main Truc Lam Monastery in Edmonton became so popular that it needed more space.

Alberta Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis said on social media the government “is there to support our first responders during this difficult situation.”

Electricity provider Fortis Alberta said it was working to restore power to some areas after major storms in Westlock County.

“There are several poles and wires down and trees on our power lines. Both the transmission and distribution services were damaged,” it said on a social media post.

On Aug. 1, 2009, a spectator was killed and 75 others were injured after fierce winds made a concert stage collapse at the annual Big Valley Jamboree country music festival in Camrose, Alta.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 1, 2024.

The Canadian Press