Belgium: Car drives into a group of people – at least four dead

A car crashes into a group of people at a carnival event in Strépy-Bracquegnies. There are several dead and many injured.

Strépy-Bracquegnies – A car crashed into a group of people in the small town of Strépy-Bracquegnies in Belgium. According to initial information from the authorities, at least four people died in the accident in Belgium on Sunday morning (March 20, 2022). This is reported by the Belgian news agency Belga, citing the city’s mayor.

Photos of the accident are circulating on Twitter. According to unconfirmed information published there, the death toll is said to be five. According to information from the dpa news agency, at least twelve other people were seriously injured in the tragedy in Belgium. 20 other people are said to have suffered minor injuries.

It was initially unclear whether the driver of the vehicle had intentionally driven into the group of people in Strépy-Bracquegnies. According to the mayor, the driver initially drove on, but was then stopped. A moderator from the Belgian radio station RTL, who took part in the carnival event, reported on dramatic scenes. According to him, the car drove into the middle of the crowd. “There was music and laughter and three seconds later it was screams. It was terrible,” the broadcaster quoted him as saying. According to him, about 150 people attended the event.

Strépy-Bracquegnies is located in south-west Belgium, around 40 kilometers from Brussels. About 8,000 people live in the small town. According to the mayor of La Louvière, the municipal emergency plan was triggered and the victim support service activated. Belgian Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden wrote on Twitter that her deepest condolences go to the families and friends of those killed and injured. “What was supposed to be a great party turned into a drama.” (dil/dpa)

This text is continuously updated.