A man fell into the Brussels-Charleroi canal in the Brussels municipality of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean on Thursday afternoon, with two more having jumped in to help rescue him.
This incident was confirmed by the local Brussels West police and the Brussels Fire Brigade. Two onlookers bravely jumped into the water to save him but ended up with hypothermia.
The incident occurred around 12:20 at the Henegouwenkaai, near the Millennium Iconoclast Museum of Art (MIMA).
Fire brigade spokesperson Walter Derieuw explained: "When we arrived, there were three people in the water." These included a man who'd initially fallen into the canal and two others who'd jumped in to help him. Fire brigade divers rescued all three from the icy waters.
The man who had initially fallen into the canal was unconscious and was immediately resuscitated at the scene. He was then transported to the hospital in critical condition. The two other individuals were suffering from hypothermia and were also taken to the hospital for medical assistance.
The precise circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear. It is believed that it may have been an act of desperation, but further investigation will be needed to determine the truth.
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