Train traffic at Antwerp-Central station is severely disrupted on Monday afternoon, after a fatal accident with a 5-year-old boy happened in one of the tunnels between the station and Antwerp-Berchem.
The victim is a 5-year-old boy, the Antwerp public prosecutor's office confirmed to the Belga News Agency. The boy had just been reported missing after he disappeared in the vicinity of the station.
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Federal Mobility Minister Georges Gilkinet also expressed his condolences on Twitter, saying his thoughts are with the boy's family. He added that the police and the public prosecutor are on the scene.
? Er is een kindje overleden is in Antwerpen-Centraal.... Zo tragisch. Al mijn gedachten zijn bij de familie. De politie en het parket zijn ter plaatse.
— Gilki (@GeorgesGilkinet) February 7, 2022
Since around 16:15, underground train traffic was halted for about an hour at Antwerp-Central station due to an accident with a person, reports rail network manager Infrabel.
The platforms on levels -1 and -2 were temporarily not serviced as a result, which is still causing delays and possibly cancellations of trains, the SNCB railway company announced on Twitter.
? Door een aanrijding is er hinder tussen Antwerpen-Centraal en Antwerpen-Berchem.
⚠️ Er zijn belangrijke vertragingen en afschaffingen te verwachten. #NMBS pic.twitter.com/pvscHhqhpK — NMBS (@NMBS) February 7, 2022
The collision did not happen at a platform, but in a tunnel leading to the station, which is normally only accessible to staff, reports VRT.
Update: This article was updated following a statement from the Antwerp public prosecutor's office.
