This Sunday morning around 5 a.m., the driver of a car drove into the crowd which had gathered to attend the collection of the Gilles, during the carnival of Strépy-Bracquegnies (La Louvière, Hainaut).
King Philippe, Princess Elisabeth and Alexander De Croo are on hand to gather with the families of the victims and salute the efforts of the emergency services. They are accompanied by Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden and Walloon Minister-President Elio Di Rupo.
Follow the situation live below.
The main information:
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The driver of a car drove into the crowd preparing for the carnival festivities in Strépy-Bracquegnies this Sunday around 5 a.m.. The Gilles then proceeded to the traditional pickup (the moment when the Gilles go from house to house to collect their limbs) of the company “Les boute en train”. The group was at that time in the rue des Canadiens near the Sports Hall, and headed for the city center.
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The toll is heavy: 6 victims died on the spot, 10 victims in serious condition were transported to various hospitals in the region, 27 people were injured more lightly.
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Seventy people involved but not injured were gathered in the sports hall of Strépy-Bracquegnies.
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The vehicle is the only cause, says the spokesperson for the police zone. There was no chase. The police arrived following the fact.
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The perpetrators, who were arrested, were born in 1988 and 1990. They are from La Louvière and are not known to the judicial authorities for similar facts. An investigating judge was seized of the count of murder.
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A welcome is organized for the relatives of the injured and for the families of the deceased at the sports hall of Strépy-Bracquegnies. The mayor of La Louvière invited the folk societies to stop the carnival festivities.
