Four hundred commuters were stranded for three hours in a train between Herent and Leuven due to a technical defect. The incident caused significant disruption during the morning rush hour on September 30, 2025.
Details of the Incident
This train was scheduled to travel from Tongeren to Antwerp, passing through Zaventem Airport. The train came to a halt around 7:45 AM, unable to move because of the defect. Passengers were stuck for an extended period.
According to one stranded passenger, Kris Vleugels, the situation was uncomfortable due to poor ventilation. He mentioned that it would have been preferable to sit in traffic instead of being trapped in the train. There was no nearby option for passengers to disembark safely.
Another traveler, Ria Beunckens, shared that they missed their flight to Italy because of the delay. They expected another train to take them to the airport, but none arrived. Instead, they were left waiting for the next train to Zaventem.
Consequences of the Delay
The halted train also impacted the departure of several other trains. Efforts were made to restart the train, but ultimately, it was towed back to Leuven by a new locomotive. This left many passengers unable to reach their intended destinations.
