World
Brussels switches from horse-drawn carriages to electric ones
In Brussels’ central square, tourists have swapped horse-drawn carriages for electric ones, partly due to concern about the animals’ welfare.
Since the start of June, Brussels has been the first city in Europe to make a complete transition to electric vehicles away from horse-drawn carriages for city tours.
Thibault Danthine launched his project this summer with two new vehicles after winning a call for funding from the city of Brussels in 2022.
Danthine, as city carriage operator, told Euronews that the transition was inspired in part by the ethical dilemmas of horse-drawn carriages.
“There were logistical and human resources issues. It was getting harder and harder to find drivers. And ethics are changing, the relationship with animals is different nowadays, and it’s less accepted to have a commercial activity with animals”, he said.
Last year, a horse died in Seville while pulling a carriage with tourists in the middle of a heat wave.
Danthine has sold his six horses, claiming he was convinced that electric carriages would continue to attract people.
“I never had the slightest doubt that electric horse-drawn carriages would continue to attract people. Because people today want to experience something new, something unusual, something to do with family or friends,” Danthine said.
The entrepreneur has invested several hundred thousand euros in two vehicles, that were manufactured in Poland. A third will be delivered this summer.
The brand is called Anderson, a nod to Robert Anderson — the 19th century inventor best known for inventing the first crude electric carriage in Scotland between 1832 and 1839.
Danthine’s carriages have a range of 120 kilometres, and have to be recharged once every two days.
Many city residents are enthusiastic about the change.
“I think the change from horse-drawn carriages to these new electric carriages is better, not only because the horses were making a lot of noise and smelling a lot in the city, but also for the animals, because they were spending a lot of hours outside in a city that has a lot of tourists,” Sari, a student, said.
Other cities have already contacted Thibault Danthine about changing to electric carriages.
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Authorities in South Africa carried out a high-risk recovery operation over the weekend, airlifting a massive crocodile suspected of eating a local resident.
The operation followed last month’s disappearance of a 59-year-old businessman from Gauteng, South African Police Service (SAPS) said. Local media Smile FM identified him as Gabriel Batista, the owner of the Border Country Inn located a short drive from the river.
A specialized task force eventually tracked down the reptile Saturday along the Komati River, where it was euthanized and removed from the area, officials reported. Upon examination, they said human remains were discovered in its digestive system.
The operation was also captured on camera and has since spread widely on social media, showing personnel hoisting the massive crocodile from the water by helicopter.
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A wildlife specialist dangles alongside a euthanized crocodile during an aerial relocation in South Africa. (Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Mpumalanga Provincial Office)
According to the police, the local businessman went missing late last month after his Ford Ranger became stranded at a flooded low-lying river crossing near crocodile-infested waters.
State media SABCNews reported that the vehicle was swept away as he attempted to cross the bridge.
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Following a weeklong search, the team reportedly identified a large crocodile nearby that they believed may have attacked and consumed the victim.
According to officials who monitored the reptile for several days, the reptile appeared to show signs it had recently fed, including prolonged periods of inactivity, South African outlet ENCA said.
A massive crocodile was spotted near a river in South Africa. (Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Mpumalanga Provincial Office)
“During the search, we saw that this particular crocodile was only about 150 meters away from where the person had washed off the bridge. This crocodile stayed there the whole time. When the helicopter went over it, it wouldn’t move away,” SAPS Captain Johan “Pottie” Potgieter said.
“We know from experience that if crocodiles have had a big meal, they’re not very active, and need to lie in the sun for their digestive system to start working.”
After authorities euthanized the animal with the necessary permissions, Potgieter operated under “extremely dangerous conditions,” being lowered from a helicopter into crocodile-infested waters.
It was then secured with a rope, hoisted from the water, and airlifted away, SAPS said.
Authorities used a helicopter to transport a massive crocodile from a river in South Africa. (Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Mpumalanga Provincial Office)
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During the examination, officials reportedly discovered human remains, as well as six pairs of sandals inside the animal’s stomach, SABC News reported.
The remains have been submitted for DNA testing to confirm the victim’s identity.
It remains unclear whether the shoes are linked to any missing residents or villagers in the area.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says ceasefire with Iran remains in place despite growing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Published On 6 May 2026
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