Over 22,000 evacuated as fire hits Spain music festival

Videos which have surfaced on social media show how the speaker system to the left of the main stage was engulfed in fire in a matter of seconds. Music fans could be seen dashing to safety from the front of the main stage as they panicked and realised what was happening.

Others appeared oblivious to what was happening as they danced with the stage erupting in flames behind them. One eyewitness reported on social media that the stage simply "just exploded".

Another witness claimed that the fire "apparently started during a fireworks display" - though this was yet to be officially confirmed. Pyrotechnics on the stage have been blamed for starting the blaze, according to local media, although that is yet to be confirmed. Organisers have pointed the finger at a "technical malfunction".

Worried relatives have been taking to social media trying to ensure their loved ones are safe.

The main event is understood to being broadcast in Belgium with it being livestreamed to the giant screens in Barcelona. But performers in Belgium did not appear to have been told what is happening and continued with their performance as the stage in Barcelona burnt down. Local media have estimated 25 per cent of the stage was destroyed by the blaze - although images that have surfaced appear to show that it's more substantially damaged.

The emergency evacuation procedure flashed on the stage screen as the flames erupted. But fans have been taking to social media to criticise security, question where fire crews were and demand refunds.

Other headliners included Afrojack, Steve Aoki in Spain and Armin Van Burren and Dimitri Vegas.