‘Contaminated fire extinguishing water claims one life’

Published on 6 May 2013

Cover

A man has died and 49 have been hospitalised after inhaling toxic fumes released when a train carrying chemicals derailed and caught fire in Wetteren, northwest Belgium, on May 4.

The exact causes of the accident are not known yet, although the train driver has admitted exceeding the speed limit on that part of the track.

A total of 250 people living within 500 metres of the crash site were immediately evacuated following the accident and people in nearby villages were told to remain indoors.

Receive the best of European journalism straight to your inbox every Thursday

Some of the victims, and the dead man, were living beyond the security perimeter and are thought to have become sick after water used to douse the fire mixed with the toxic chemicals and washed into the drains. This has led to a polemic on the way the authorities managed the crisis.

Interesting article?

It was made possible by Voxeurop’s community. High-quality reporting and translation comes at a cost. To continue producing independent journalism, we need your support.

Subscribe or Donate

Are you a news organisation, a business, an association or a foundation? Check out our bespoke editorial and translation services.

Support border-free European journalism

See our subscription offers, or donate to bolster our independence

On the same topic