A man has died after falling from an Eleventh Night bonfire in the Braniel housing estate in east Belfast on Friday night. The man has been identified locally as Warren Lyttle.
Organizers of the Braniel Bonfire Committee, Braniel Loyal Flute Band, and Braniel Community Group released a joint statement on social media, calling the incident a "tragic accident" and expressing that they were "heartbroken" by the death. They offered their "deepest sympathies" to Mr. Lyttle's family and friends.
Local residents who witnessed the event told BBC News NI that Lyttle fell from the structure. A minute's silence is planned for him.
Bonfires are a traditional part of the annual Battle of the Boyne commemorations in some unionist areas of Northern Ireland, typically lit on July 11th. The Twelfth of July marks the commemoration of the 1690 Battle of the Boyne.
The bonfire organizers stated they had consulted with Mr. Lyttle's family, who expressed a wish for the bonfire to proceed as scheduled. After consideration, the organizers decided to honor this request. A one-minute silence will be held before the bonfire is lit at 9:00 PM BST, with attendees asked to participate and disperse quietly and respectfully afterward.