Young man dies in telehandler accident at Brussels Plaisirs d'Hiver site

What happened

Police were alerted around 02:50 on Sunday, 8 November, to an accident on the Quai aux Briques in central Brussels, on the site of the Plaisirs d'Hiver, the traditional Christmas market. The Brussels-Capital/Ixelles police zone confirmed that a young man died on the spot during the night of 7 to 8 November. Rescue services reached him but could do nothing to save his life, and the police have not released his identity. Some reports call the machine a telescopic handler (chariot télescopique) and others a forklift (chariot élévateur, heftruck). Bruzz, as cited by RTBF, says it was a Manitou unit intended for assembling the market, which is due to open at the end of November according to 7sur7.

How the accident may have happened

Police have not said how the accident happened. Bruzz reported, as cited by 7sur7, that several young people may have tried to take control of one of the machines. VRT NWS reports that the young man may have unlocked one of the forklifts with a group of friends during the night, but that remains unconfirmed. Whether the machines were locked at the time of the accident is not yet known, according to 7sur7 and VRT NWS. Le Soir reports that the exact circumstances still have to be determined.

Investigation and reactions

A security perimeter was set up around the site, and a forensic doctor and a traffic expert went there to examine the circumstances. The Brussels prosecutor's office was informed and has ordered additional investigative steps. Police spokesperson Linda Camarero-Verde said:

“On the precise circumstances of the accident and the identity of the young man, the police are not providing any further information for the time being.”

She added that the victim's family is being supported by the police victim support service. Brussels Major Events, which organises the market, has chosen to await the outcome of the investigation. Communications manager Fabienne Vankoninxloo said:

“We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and loved ones of the victim.”

Winterpret and what comes next

The Plaisirs d'Hiver is an annual event, and 7sur7 reports that it is due to be inaugurated at the end of November. The accident happened while the infrastructure was still being installed, according to 7sur7. The reports do not say whether work on the site has been affected. Investigators still need to establish the exact circumstances, the identity of the young man and whether the machine was locked before the police release further information.