Hulshout (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A large sinkhole appeared on Grote Baan, Hulshout, near Eikenbroekstraat. No injuries occurred. Tom Daelemans confirmed the cause is unknown. Traffic and De Lijn buses are diverted; repairs are under investigation.
As VRT News reported, a large sinkhole has opened on Grote Baan in Hulshout near Eikenbroekstraat, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium, causing sudden disruption on the busy road.
Emergency services secured the area shortly after the hole was discovered. No injuries were reported, said Tom Daelemans of the Zuiderkempen police zone. The damaged section of the road has been closed and fenced off.
What caused the large sinkhole on Grote Baan in Hulshout?
The closure is leading to serious traffic problems in the area. Drivers are being diverted. De Lijn bus services are also affected, with routes redirected away from the sinkhole. Officials mentioned that passengers may experience longer travel times and temporary changes to stops.
Tom Daelemans of the Zuiderkempen police zone said the cause of the sinkhole is still unknown.
“It’s a big hole, I can’t say how long the repair will take,”
says Daelemans. A detailed investigation has started. Experts will examine the ground, nearby infrastructure, and any recent work to understand what caused the collapse.
In recent years, Belgium has experienced several unexpected sinkholes appearing on roadways. In August of 2023, a significant sinkhole developed on Deinsesteenweg, Tielt, due to a broken sewer system, requiring the road to be shut down by local authorities for urgent repair work.
Then, in July 2024, a sinkhole manifested on Grote Haagstraat, Etterbeek due to also being a result of sewer problems. After repairs begin, the street will remain closed until completion. In June 2025, Dorpsstraat, Brugge, experienced a cave-in as a direct result of a broken water main, which washed away the soil under the pavement.
