Abnother 10 folks have been despatched to close by hospitals with life-threatening accidents and 27 have been “barely injured,” Deputy Crown Prosecutor Damien Verheyen mentioned.
As a bunch of carnival-goers have been marching in the direction of the city middle, “a automotive got here from the again at excessive velocity and crashed into group, pulverized a lot of folks, persevering with its method earlier than stopping somewhat additional down,” La Louvière mayor Jacques Gobert informed reporters.
The 2 males who have been within the automotive, each from La Louvière and born in 1988 and 1990, have been arrested, Verheyen mentioned. He added {that a} “reconstruction of the info” will likely be held to be able to set up the precise route of the car and any potential motive.
The incident occurred at 5 a.m. native time. Strépy-Bracquegnies is situated 30 miles (50km) south of Brussels.
There was no proof {that a} chase with police led to the incident, officers mentioned, opposite to earlier studies. In addition they mentioned as but “no parts” confirmed that the incident “may very well be thought-about as a terrorist assault.”
Authorities mentioned 5 emergency autos and 16 ambulances have been despatched to the scene to move the victims to numerous hospitals within the area — 70 non-injured folks have been evacuated from the scene.
Belgium’s King Philippe and Prime Minister Alexander De Croo have been anticipated to go to the scene on Sunday at 4 p.m. native time.
“Horrible information from Strépy-Bracquegnies. A neighborhood gathering to have a good time has been hit within the coronary heart,” he wrote.
Inside Minister Annelies Verlinden additionally tweeted her condolences “to the households and associates to those that died and have been injured” within the incident.