Horrible end to a carnival event: At least six people die in Belgium when a driver drives into a group of people. Initially, there was no evidence of a terrorist act.
La Louvière – A car crashes into a crowd at a carnival event in Belgium. Six people die, of the 37 injured, ten are temporarily in mortal danger.
How could this happen? The day after the disaster in the municipality of Strépy-Bracquegnies, this question occupied the population and investigators.
According to the public prosecutor’s office on Sunday evening, it should be clear this Monday whether the two people arrested in the car were under the influence of alcohol and drugs. After initial investigations, they came from dancing and had dropped off a third person shortly before the accident.
No evidence of terrorism
A spokesman for the public prosecutor’s office said at a press conference on Sunday morning that there was no evidence of a terrorist background. According to him, both people come from the region. They were previously unknown to the authorities and were born in 1988 and 1990 respectively.
The Walloon municipality of Strépy-Bracquegnies belongs to the city of La Louvière and is located about 40 kilometers south-west of Brussels. Most recently it had almost 9000 inhabitants. According to Mayor Jacques Gobert, around 150 to 200 people attended the “Ramassage des Gilles” on Sunday morning. People go from house to house to gather for the carnival.
Horrible news from Strépy-Bracquegnies. A community gathering to celebrate was struck in the heart.
My thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones. All my support also goes to the emergency services for their help and assistance provided.
— Alexander De Croo 🇧🇪🇪🇺 (@alexanderdecroo) March 20, 2022
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo expressed his sympathy and spoke of “terrible news” from Strépy-Bracquegnies. He visited the scene of the accident on Sunday afternoon together with King Philippe and Princess Elisabeth. “It should have been a day to celebrate after a difficult time,” said De Croo, referring to the corona pandemic. “It has become a day of mourning.” dpa
