A ghost town by the banks of the Scheldt

The last remaining inhabitants of the village of Doel, in Belgium, have until Wednesday 30 September, to leave their homes. After that date, they run the risk of being driven out by demolition bulldozers. Hidden away amidst the polders on the western bank of the Scheldt, Doel has gradually disappeared, because it is an obstacle to the expansion of the port of Antwerp, which is one of the busiest in Europe. In the 1970s, the village had 1,300 residents, but only 30 of these still live there today. "Doel has become a ghost village. The streets are empty, the houses are falling down, and covered in grafitti. All of the businesses have closed down," reports Le Soir. A small group of residents who are determined to hold on to their homes have created the "Doel 2020" group, which campaigns for the continued existence of the village. However, in spite of their petitions and court actions, the company LSO, which is now the owner of the village, is adamant that residents who do not leave will be evicted.