A festive atmosphere turned chaotic Sunday afternoon when a temporary market structure collapsed near Calgary City Hall, sending multiple people to hospital and abruptly ending what had been a celebration of Nigerian culture and commerce.
The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. at the outdoor market event where dozens of vendors and hundreds of attendees had gathered. Witnesses described hearing a sudden cracking sound before the tent structure gave way, causing immediate panic among market-goers.
“I heard this loud snap and then everyone started screaming,” said Melissa Thornton, who was shopping at a jewelry stall when the collapse occurred. “It happened so fast—one minute we were enjoying the market, the next minute people were trapped under poles and canvas.”
Calgary Emergency Medical Services confirmed that seven people were transported to area hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to moderate. No life-threatening injuries have been reported, though several victims sustained lacerations, contusions, and possible fractures.
“We responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a structural failure at the Nigerian-style market,” said EMS spokesperson Trevor Hamilton. “Our paramedics treated several patients on scene before transport, and we’re grateful that initial assessments indicate no critical injuries.”
The event, organized by the Calgary Nigerian Cultural Association, was in its second day of a planned weekend-long celebration featuring traditional foods, crafts, and cultural performances. Organizers had obtained proper permits for the temporary structures, according to city officials, raising questions about what caused the collapse.
Weather conditions at the time were moderate, with light winds and temperatures around 18°C, seemingly ruling out severe weather as a contributing factor. Investigators from the city’s building safety department arrived on scene within an hour to begin examining the structural components.
Calgary Police Service has cordoned off the area and is assisting with the investigation. “Our priority was ensuring everyone was safely evacuated from the site,” said Constable Sarah Jenkins. “We’re now working with city inspectors to determine exactly what happened here today.”
Event organizer Emmanuel Adeyemi expressed deep concern for those injured. “This is devastating for our community. We had taken all precautions to ensure safety, working closely with the city on permits and inspections. Our thoughts are with those who were hurt, and we’re cooperating fully with authorities to understand what went wrong.”
The incident has raised broader questions about safety standards for temporary structures at public events throughout Calgary. City Councillor Jyoti Gondek arrived at the scene and indicated the city would be reviewing its permitting and inspection processes for similar events.
“While we don’t yet know the cause, this serves as a sobering reminder that even temporary structures require rigorous safety standards,” Gondek told reporters. “We’ll be conducting a thorough review of our processes to ensure public safety at all city events.”
The market had been expected to draw over 2,000 attendees throughout the weekend, showcasing Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and creating economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs within Calgary’s growing Nigerian-Canadian community.
As cleanup efforts continue and investigators sift through the collapsed structure, many are left wondering: how can we better ensure the safety of temporary venues while still supporting the vibrant cultural events that enrich our city’s diverse identity?
