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Six Dead As Car Hits Carnival Crowd In Belgium
Six people were killed when a car plowed into a crowd waiting to enter a carnival in the Belgian town of Strépy-Bracquegnies on Sunday, according to authorities.
“A automobile approached from behind at a great rate. And there are a few dozen individuals who have been hurt, as well as numerous people who have been killed,” said Jacques Gobert, mayor of the adjacent town of La Louviere.
Damien Verheyen, the prosecutor, said 26 people were hurt, with 10 of them in critical condition.
During a customary carnival ceremony, the incident occurred about 5 a.m. local time (3 a.m. UTC).
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There is no evidence of a ‘terrorist motive.’
According to local news station Bel RTL, over 150 people gathered to prepare for the annual folklore procession, which includes costumes and drums.
“At this stage, there are no elements to suggest that the attack had a terrorist motive,” Verheyen added.
Police have refuted rumors in the media that the vehicle was involved in a high-speed chase.
The driver and another passenger in the vehicle were detained. They are local residents who were previously unknown to the police.
First responders rushed to the scene, and the town activated its emergency plan, which ranged from “music and smiles” to “screaming.”
According to local radio Bel RTL, many of those injured have been brought to a hospital in La Louviere, which is presently in the pre-alert phase.
Doctors have been summoned, and at least four patients have been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), according to the report.
Fabrice Collignon, a reporter for Bel RTL, was among those who witnessed the incident.
“We heard a huge bang…and the automobile slammed into a crowd of people,” he explained.
Collignon described the scenario as “a scene I never thought I’d see in my life,” adding that “there was music and smiling and three seconds later, there were people screaming.”
Annelies Verlinden, the Belgian Interior Minister, extended her sympathies to the families of those slain and injured.
“What was supposed to be a fantastic night ended up being a tragedy. We’re keeping a careful eye on everything “In a tweet, she stated.
