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🇧🇪 Belgium /Disasters & Emergencies

350 Train Passengers Stranded in Kumtich After Person-on-Person Accident; Train Traffic Between Leuven and Landen Disrupted

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • A train carrying 350 passengers is stranded near Kumtich, Belgium, following a person-on-person accident.
  • Train traffic between Leuven and Landen, as well as towards Landen, is disrupted in both directions.
  • Efforts are underway to evacuate the stranded passengers via bus, with diversions and replacement bus services in place.

A train carrying 350 passengers has been halted near the railway crossing in Kumtich, Belgium, after a person-on-person accident occurred at 6:45 AM. The incident has led to a complete standstill of train traffic between Leuven and Landen in both directions, significantly disrupting travel for many.

Infrabel spokesperson Thomas Baeken confirmed the accident happened near Sint-Barbarastraat. Currently, railway company NMBS is coordinating with the police to safely evacuate the 350 stranded passengers. Buses have been dispatched to Kumtich to facilitate the evacuation. For travelers, IC trains are being rerouted via Hasselt where possible. Passengers can use their train tickets for bus services operating between Tienen and Leuven. Delays and cancellations may also affect services between Brussels-North and Hasselt.

This morning at 6:45 AM there was a person-on-person collision in Tienen. It happened near Sint-Barbarastraat.

— Thomas BaekenConfirming the time and location of the accident.

The NMBS advises passengers to monitor announcements, check screens, or plan their journeys using the nmbs.be website or the NMBS app. For individuals seeking support regarding suicide, the suicide hotline can be reached at 1813, or Tele-Onthaal at 106. Online chat and email options are also available via their respective websites.

Currently, we are discussing with the police how we can safely evacuate these stranded passengers. Buses are on their way to Kumtich.

— Dimitri TemmermanExplaining the plan for passenger evacuation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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