Heavy rain caused problems at Liberation Day festivals at several locations in the north of the Netherlands on Friday afternoon.

The festival grounds in Groningen and Assen were cleared because of the forecast storms and the risk of lightning striking the many steel structures, broadcaster NOS reported.

‘We are closing off everything,’ Ger Boes from the Assen organizing team said. ‘We cannot take any risks.’  The Zwolle event was also halted for a time but was able to reopen after around 30 minutes, when the storm had passed.

The Groningen and Assen organisers hope the events can restart late afternoon or early evening.