A lifeless body was recovered from the Escaut(Scheldt) River in Pecq, near Tournai, on Sunday afternoon. The victim has not yet been identified, according to the Wapi fire brigade.
The cause of death is currently unknown. Emergency services in Wallonie Picarde were alerted at 11:52 about a body spotted in the river near the "Cosucra" sugar company in near Pecq.
The body was found on the left bank of the river. "As the body was close to the shore, only a fire engine and a command vehicle were dispatched," said Lieutenant Maxime Desauvage, who led the operation. "There was no need for a boat," he added.
The body was brought ashore and handed over to the police from the Val d'Escaut area. "I don't know whether it is a man or a woman," the officer stated.
The duty prosecutor from the Tournai-Mons public prosecutor's office has been informed of the incident.
The forensic laboratory from Tournai is expected to arrive at the scene to attempt to identify the victim and determine the cause of death.
