Worker partially buried in construction pit in Schaarbeek, not in life-threatening condition
Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A construction worker in Schaarbeek, Brussels, was partially buried in a trench during an accident on Saturday afternoon.
- The worker was performing tasks in a three-meter-deep pit when a support beam came loose, causing the earth to collapse around him.
- Firefighters secured the site and freed the worker, who was conscious and able to climb out of the pit; he was taken to the hospital for further examination but is not in life-threatening condition.
A construction worker in Schaarbeek, Brussels, sustained injuries after being partially buried in a trench during a work accident on Saturday afternoon. The incident occurred around 5:50 PM on Voltairelaan, according to Brussels fire brigade spokesperson Walter Derieuw.
The worker was carrying out tasks in a pit approximately three meters deep when a support beam unexpectedly detached. This caused a partial collapse of the earth, burying the man up to his waist. Fortunately, he was not directly struck by the heavy beam itself.
Firefighters immediately secured the pit's walls with additional shoring to ensure the victim's safe extraction. A specialized climbing team was also on standby. The worker, who remained conscious, was able to climb out of the pit using a ladder after being freed from the soil. His condition was described as satisfactory, and he was transported to the hospital for further assessment.
Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.