Belgium: massive outrage at a carnival leaves at least 6 dead and more than 30 injured

At least six people died this Sunday after a car rammed a carnival procession in the town of Strépy-Bracquegnies, south of Belgiumindicated the local authorities in a press conference, in which they also reported 10 serious injuries and 27 minor ones.

Police have arrested the two people who were traveling in the vehicle. and an investigation has been opened murderalthough the Prosecutor’s Office does not give preference to the terrorist motive.

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Between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. local time a vehicle accelerated against a group of between 150 and 200 people who were accompanying the Gillestraditional carnival characters from various locations in the south of Belgium.

At first, four deaths were reported, but later the health authorities informed the press that the balance increased to six, while ten people “fight for their lives.”

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The mayor of the city, Jacques Gobert, activated the disaster plan: Eight ambulances rushed to the scene of the incident.the most seriously injured were transferred to several hospitals in the region and the city’s sports center was set up as an emergency room to also treat the victims’ relatives with psychologists.

People cry near the spot where a car hit a crowd of carnival goers in Belgium. (Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP).

The two people arrested are originally from La Louvière, near the place of the accident, and born in 1988 and 1990.

The prosecutor’s substitute Damien Verheyen explained to the press that they have not yet given a statement and that they were not known to the authorities.

Clarified that it is excluded that they had charged the procession after a police chaseas some media outlets had reported at first.

The investigation will determine the motive for what happened, since it is unknown if the vehicle was thrown intentionally or not against the crowd, although witnesses assure that the car accelerated before running over.

The authorities must clarify the trajectory and speed of the vehicle, which was found at another point, near where the incident took place.

Verheyen affirmed that, currently, “they do not give preference to the terrorist track” and that “there are no elements that allow us to think that it is a terrorist attack.”

The mayor ordered an end to the festivities of Carnival in the region, the first to be held after cancellations due to the pandemic.

A police officer stands guard at the cordoned off scene in Strepy Bracquegnies, Belgium. (EFE/EPA/JULIEN WARNAND).

King Felipe of the Belgians, as well as the Prime Minister, Alexander de Croo, and the Minister of the Interior, Annelies Verlinden, will attend the scene of the event to support the victims and their families.

“Awful news from Strépy-Bracquegnies. A community gathering to celebrate was struck through the heart. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. My support also to the emergency services, for their help and assistance”De Croo indicated through his official Twitter profile.

“There are no words, it is horror. Arriving at the scene shortly after the catastrophe, seeing those bodies scattered on the road, people suffering… You cannot imagine that this could exist and, unfortunately, it is what is happening. There are no words, it’s dramatic”Gobert said.

The presenter of the RTL chain Fabrice Collignon, who was participating in the celebrations, reported that the group was making its tour of the city when suddenly “we heard a big noise coming from the back and a car literally crashed into the group of people ” .

“It was a scene I never thought I would see in my life. The car accelerated and when we realized that something was happening, everyone was on the ground. People shouted. There was music and smiles and three seconds later, screams. It was horrible”described.

The procession of neighbors Strépy-Bracquegnies accompanied several people disguised as gillesone of whom is among the deceased.

gilles It is a traditional character of the Binche carnival, whose celebration has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, as well as other locations in the country.

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Source: Elcomercio