Event’s security situation under scrutiny following death

Organiser’s contingency plan was approved but eyewitness said the dangers of partying on a sea fort were clear

After a weekend party for the radio station P3 turned tragic, there are conflicting reports about security at the event. 

 

A 32-year-old man fell to his death during a celebration for the radio station's 50th anniversary at Trekroner Fort, a former sea fortification off the eastern coast of Copenhagen. A 34-year-old man was also injured in a fall during the event. 

 

According to reports, both men were standing close to the edge of a grassy rampart on top of the fort when they lost their footing and fell onto large rocks more than four metres below. 

 

Public broadcaster DR, which operates P3 and arranged the event, said that the security plan for the celebration was approved by the authorities. DR's culture editor Morten Hesseldahl told TV2 News however that the organisers were aware of the dangers of having guests on the island fort. 

 

"We were aware of it and therefore created a contingency plan, and it was approved," Hesseldahl said. 

 

An attendee at the festivities told metroxpress newspaper that the dangers were clear. 

 

"It was very obvious that it was dangerous," Samuel Hejslet, who was at the P3 party on Saturday, told the freesheet. "Especially when one is drunk. All it took was just a little step [to fall off the rampart]. There are no excuses."

 

Police spent Saturday night investigating the accident and according to Ritzau, they say that there is nothing that indicates DR should be blamed for the accident. 

 

Hesseldahl stressed that DR was fully co-operating with police.

 

"I am deeply affected by the terrible accident that took place in connection with P3's 50th anniversary and resulted in a death," Hesseldahl said in a press release. "What happened was deeply tragic and our thoughts are with the family members of those involved. We are now working with police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident and will report new developments when we have them."





  • How internationals can benefit from joining trade unions

    How internationals can benefit from joining trade unions

    Being part of a trade union is a long-established norm for Danes. But many internationals do not join unions – instead enduring workers’ rights violations. Find out how joining a union could benefit you, and how to go about it.

  • Internationals in Denmark rarely join a trade union

    Internationals in Denmark rarely join a trade union

    Internationals are overrepresented in the lowest-paid fields of agriculture, transport, cleaning, hotels and restaurants, and construction – industries that classically lack collective agreements. A new analysis from the Workers’ Union’s Business Council suggests that internationals rarely join trade unions – but if they did, it would generate better industry standards.

  • Novo Nordisk overtakes LEGO as the most desirable future workplace amongst university students

    Novo Nordisk overtakes LEGO as the most desirable future workplace amongst university students

    The numbers are especially striking amongst the 3,477 business and economics students polled, of whom 31 percent elected Novo Nordisk as their favorite, compared with 20 percent last year.