Child Among Dead After Horror Carnival Crash
A child is among those killed in a shocking early morning crash during a traditional Carnival ceremony, officials confirm. Twelve people were seriously injured, and twenty others suffered minor injuries, said Jacques Gobert, mayor of nearby La Louviere.
Car Ploughs Into Crowd at 5am Festivities
The tragedy unfolded at 5am local time as around 150 revellers gathered for the annual folklore parade, complete with costumes and drums. Suddenly, a car smashed into the crowd at high speed from behind.
“A car drove from the back at high speed. We have a few dozen injured and, unfortunately, several people who are killed,” Gobert told state broadcaster RTBF. “The driver was intercepted as he tried to get away.”
The cause is still unknown, and authorities have not ruled out whether the attack was deliberate.
From Music and Smiles to Panic and Screams
Witness Fabrice Collignon described the horror: “We heard an immense noise… and the car literally went into the group of people. It’s a scene I never thought I’d see in my life. There was music and smiles and 3 seconds later, there were people screaming.”
First responders rushed to the scene as the town activated its emergency plan. Many injured were rushed to the hospital in La Louviere, with at least four patients admitted to intensive care.
Belgian Officials Shocked, Send Condolences
Belgian Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden expressed sorrow for the victims. “What was supposed to have been a great party turned into a tragedy. We are monitoring the situation closely,” she tweeted.
