1 dead, several injured in tent collapse at Buddhist meditation centre north of Edmonton

One person has died and several others were injured after a tent collapsed at a Buddhist meditation centre in a small community northwest of Edmonton on Wednesday evening.

RCMP say a structure collapsed at the Westlock Meditation Centre in Busby, Alta., about 70 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, around 5:30 p.m. They say there were reports that severe weather caused the collapse.

Several injured people were taken to area hospitals and one person died from his injuries, an RCMP news release said.

The center was scheduled to host an 11-day retreat on Thursday.

Alberta Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis posted on X, formerly Twitter, that a tent had collapsed and that multiple emergency services had been called to the incident.

Area was under thunderstorm warning

“We are aware of an event in the Westlock area where a tent collapsed and multiple ambulances and emergency responders were required,” Ellis wrote.

“There is limited information available at this time, but the Government of Alberta stands ready to support our first responders during this difficult situation.”

The area around Westlock was warned of a severe thunderstorm on Wednesday evening.

RCMP says Occupational Health and Safety has investigators on scene. RCMP is also investigating the incident.