Four hundred commuters were stuck for three hours in a train in Herent due to a defect. The train was unable to continue its route, causing significant delays during the morning rush hour on September 30, 2025.
Details of the Incident
This train was traveling from Tongeren to Antwerp, with a stop at Zaventem Airport. At approximately 7:45 AM, the train suddenly halted between Leuven and Herent because of a technical failure. As a result, the 400 passengers were trapped for an extended period.
One passenger, Kris Vleugels, expressed frustration over the situation, stating that they could have exited the train since it was on a single track. He mentioned the poor ventilation inside the train, which made the experience uncomfortable.
Many passengers missed their flights due to the delays. Ria Beunckens, another traveler, noted that their vacation plans to Italy were disrupted because they did not receive any information on how to proceed. Normally, a train would have been waiting to take them to the airport, but none arrived.
Consequences of the Delay
The stalled train also affected the departure of several other trains. Attempts were made to restart the train, but ultimately, it was towed back to Leuven by a new locomotive. This situation left many travelers unable to reach their destinations, leading to significant repercussions for some.
