NWU spokesperson, Louis Jacobs, confirms reports that the beer tent on the rag farm collapsed as it was being pummelled by heavy rain and hail that began at around 18:00.

Jacobs says a part of the VIP tent and sound equipment on stage were also damaged in the storm. He clarifies information on the ground alleging there were some severe injuries sustained in the incident.

“There are rumours being spread of a student that was either seriously injured or killed as a result of the tents collapsing. This is not true, there are only nine reports of slight injuries sustained in the storm. Those injuries were in the form of bumps and scratches."

According to a statement released by the NWU Student Representative Council (SRC) on the Potchefstroom campus, a complete evacuation of the Rag farm was carried out and buses were organised to transport students away to safety following the storm on Thursday.

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