Linkin Park Express 'Deep Sadness' For Fans Injured At South Africa Show

Linkin Park extended their sympathies and condolences to the families of 19 fans who were injured and one who was killed when scaffolding erected outside their Cape Town, South Africa show collapsed on Wednesday night.

"We wish to express our deep sadness and concern for those injured and our heartfelt condolences to the family of the fan who died as a result of her injuries," the band said in a statement issued after the concert. The group was not aware of the incident until the show was over, when they found out about the collapse, which has left 12 fans hospitalized, according to the show BBC..

The temporary structure had been set up to hold a billboard for one of the show's sponsors, a sports drink. High winds outside of the Green Point stadium toppled the sign over and it fell on a group of fans gathered in the parking lot just before the show was set to begin. LP have been vocal about establishing national standards in the U.S. for the construction of temporary stages after a series of deadly incidents last year in which a number of fans were killed in stage collapses. The band noted on their site that, "though we have had no relationship with the sponsor or the entity responsible for erecting the structure, we take the safety of our fans very seriously and our thoughts are with all of those who were affected by this tragedy."

Police and local investigators are looking into the incident. A City of Cape Town spokesperson told a South African TV network that the structure had been pre-approved and certified before the show. GlaxoSmithkline, the parent company of the energy drink that was being promoted, tweeted a statement expressing, "extreme sadness about the accident last night."

Linkin Park will wind up their South African tour this week and return to the U.S. to play at the American Music Awards next week.