Frank Vandenbroucke

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.