The Brussels ring road was shut in both directions near Zaventem around 05:00 following a fatal lorry accident.
The vehicle overturned near Zaventem-Henneaulaan and breached the central reservation. The driver of the lorry was confirmed dead by the federal police. The accident, which involved no other vehicles, also led to a fuel leak and part of the lorry’s grain cargo was lost.
The Flemish traffic centre (Vlaams Verkeerscentrum) urged motorists to avoid the area. "We are expecting a difficult morning rush hour on the Brussels ring road," stated Peter Bruyninckx of the Flemish Traffic Centre. "Disruptions may continue for some time."
Two lanes of Brussels' inner ring road were reopened at around 08:30 whilst the outer lane is still closed (as of 09:00).
Motorists must join the inner ring road from the Strombeek-Bever interchange due to a passage restriction, adding 45 minutes to their journey. On the outer ring, traffic has halted from the Quatre-Bras tunnel and on the E40 Liège-Brussels route, even before reaching Heverlee.
Vrachtwagen rijdt door middenberm Brusselse ring: bestuurder overleden, moeilijke ochtendspits dreigt https://t.co/2Jkmt3zfDY #vrtnws
— VRT NWS (@vrtnws) June 5, 2024
