Heatwave doubles Belgium’s emergency calls to 11,784 in a day, 20 extra ambulances deployed as hospitals hit capacity
Belgium’s emergency number 112 received 11,784 calls on Friday, nearly double the daily average, as a prolonged heatwave pushed ambulance interventions to 4,324 and forced the deployment of 20 extra vehicles. Hospital emergency departments are now warning of longer waiting times and strained geriatric wards.
Heat emergency overwhelms emergency call system
Belgium’s public health service recorded an exceptional 11,784 contacts with the 112 emergency line on Friday, almost twice the usual 6,000 per day. The heatwave, now in its fourth day, also drove ambulance interventions from a normal 2,500 to 4,324 on the same day. The federal public service (FPS) Health described the jump as a strong increase directly linked to the sustained high temperatures.
- Calls (normal)
- 6000 count
- Calls (Friday)
- 11784 count
- Interventions (normal)
- 2500 count
- Interventions (Friday)
- 4324 count
To handle the surge, 20 extra ambulances were activated on Friday and Saturday. The FPS said the situation nevertheless remains tense, with emergency departments struggling to absorb patient inflows. Geriatric services have reached full capacity, and transfers of patients to other facilities may soon be unavoidable.
The situation remains tense.
Brussels SIAMU sees more than 400 medical interventions in nine hours
In the Brussels region, the fire and emergency medical service (SIAMU) reported more than 400 medical interventions between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday. Spokesman Walter Derieuw said non-urgent transport crews were reassigned to ambulances, letting the service field seven extra vehicles, one staffed by the Red Cross. He declined to call the day a record.
More than 400 medical interventions took place.
At the same time, two unions, CGSP and SLFP, criticised what they called poor preparation for the heatwave. They said fire vehicles were removed from two Brussels stations so teams could be redirected to heat-related calls.
Authorities plead for responsible behaviour as weekend storms loom
The FPS Health asked the public to reserve 112 for life-threatening emergencies only, warning that misuse risks saturating the system. Officials also issued a standard heat advisory: drink enough water, avoid exertion in the hottest hours and limit alcohol intake. With many events planned over the weekend and a forecast of violent thunderstorms, rescue services are already stretched further.
A call, a visit, a glass of water can make all the difference.
Minister of Public Health Frank Vandenbroucke urged everyone to look after the most vulnerable. Hospital emergency departments are already facing longer waits for less urgent cases, and geriatric wards are at their limit. The FPS warned that the pressure could persist through the weekend.
