Storm causes injuries and transport delays
A tourist was hit by collapsing scaffolding in central Antwerp, roads and tram lines were affected and parks were closed for fear of falling branches, as winds reached 115kph
Windy weekend
In Antwerp, an American tourist was seriously injured when scaffolding collapsed as she was walking on the Groenplaats in the city centre. In Borsbeek, Antwerp province, a 17-year-old scout was hit by a falling tree, while in Sint-Gillis in Brussels, a woman was taken to hospital after being injured by a collapsing chimney. Police said her condition was not life-threatening.
In Opwijk, Flemish Brabant, a falling tree hit an electrical cable, causing sparks. In Ostend, police closed part of a main road, fearing the high winds could affect two construction cranes. Emergency services everywhere were under pressure and asked the public to use the emergency number 112 only for emergencies where lives were in danger.
In Brussels, several tram routes were limited where the route passed through wooded areas, and replaced with shuttle buses. On the railways, there were several cases of trains being held up by fallen branches and other obstacles carried by the wind. The line between Tielt and Deinze was particularly affected, as was traffic between Brussels and the coast, a problem that has continued into this morning’s commute.
The nature and woodland agency advised local authorities to close access to parks and forests because of the danger of falling branches and trees. In Antwerp, parks and cemeteries were closed, while Ter Kameren wood in Brussels was closed to traffic. Parks in the Brussels region were also closed, as was Citadelpark in Ghent.
Photo: A scaffolding collapsed on Groenmarkt in Antwerp on Sunday, seriously injuring a tourist. An investigation is underway to determine if the scaffolding was properly secured
©Nicolas Maeterlinck/BELGA
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