Fears are growing that the whole roof of the iconic structure could be compromised by gusting winds as storm Eunice batters the UK.
A video posted on Twitter on Friday shows parts of the roof of the music venue in Greenwich in shreds with the damage spreading.
The canopy is made of PTFE-coated glass fibre fabric, a durable and weather-resistant plastic which has failed in winds said to be gusting over 100mph.
GREENWICH: Roof of the 02 Arena has been badly damaged by the wind. https://t.co/3JctdtE3uL
— Kent 999s (@Kent_999s) February 18, 2022
Witness Mala Sharma told the PA news agency that “more and more parts are getting ripped off”.
The witness said it happened “right in front of my eyes” and the damage “started off with a patch” but then a “chunk” of the dome roof ripped off.