The strong explosion which rocked Antwerp on Sunday morning demonstrates once again the need to fight against organised drug crime, N-VA mayor of Antwerp Bart De Wever declared on Sunday. According to him, the Federal Judicial Police remains understaffed.
On Sunday morning, a violent explosion caused damage to 20 homes spread across several streets in proximity to Franklin Roosevelt Square in the north of the city. The explosion shattered windows on numerous streets, damaged five cars, and injured one person. The Federal Judicial Police is now conducting its investigation into the major incident.
“The police will take all measures to support [the FJP] and ensure the safety of the neighbourhood. I have asked the local police to conduct an extensive neighbourhood survey, with house-to-house visits, to speak to all the residents and gather as much information as possible,” said De Wever.
Police suspect that the attack was most likely connected to Antwerp’s well developed criminal underworld. As a major European hub, Antwerp has become a global hotspot for drug trafficking. Rival gangs frequently resort to grenade and bomb attacks against each other during gang wars over drug territory.
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“This violent incident shows once again how organised drug crime must be fought with all its might in this country. With all due respect for the efforts and commitments made recently by the Federal Government, the Federal Justice Police remain understaffed,” the N-VA leader and Antwerp mayor said. “Let’s hope that we won’t wait for another innocent victim to finally deploy the necessary resources.”
