Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Brussels faces New Year’s challenges with 200 firefighters on strike, police banning scooters, icy roads warning, over 1,000 scooter accidents, Yves De Vogelaere and Rudi Vervoort involved in emergency response.
As HLN News reported, Brussels fire services are facing challenges tonight, Dec 31, 2025, due to a strike. Some staff plan to hold out until tomorrow morning, January 1, 2026. This leaves fewer firefighters on duty.
Officials mentioned that non-urgent calls could be delayed. Small fires that are not spreading may wait. Fire chiefs sent urgent messages to off-shift staff for backup. Around 200 firefighters joined the strike this morning, Dec 31, 2025, leaving over 200 vacancies.
Most staff returned by noon, but some continue to strike. ACV union spokesperson Yves De Vogelaere warns of more problems without solutions. Talks are scheduled with State Secretary Ans Persoon.
What measures are in place in Brussels for fireworks, scooters, and icy roads?
Brussels police are preparing for a busy night. Large and loud fireworks are expected. Scooters are banned from noon today, Dec 31, 2025, until 9 a.m. tomorrow, Jan 1, 2026. The ban includes private and rental scooters. Minister-President Rudi Vervoort wants to help stretched emergency services.
The Royal Meteorological Institute issued a yellow alert for icy and slippery roads. The warning is in effect from 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec 31, 2025, to 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan 1, 2026. Snow is expected in the Ardennes and Belgian Lorraine.
Flanders remains split on fireworks. Over 70% of towns banned them. The rest allow fireworks under strict rules to avoid fines. Mayors say police are overloaded. Brussels firefighters showed X-rays of burned hands to warn of danger. In Groenlo, Dutch police seized 10,000 kilos of illegal fireworks. The stock included both consumer and professional types. One seller was arrested.
Kiribati was the first country to celebrate New Year’s Day with their midnight countdown at 13:00 UTC. This was followed by New Zealand and eastern Australia at 12:00 local time on New Year’s Day. Sydney had an extra-large fireworks display with increased security due to the recent Bondi attack, where 15 people died while attending the fireworks show in Bondi Beach.
Melbourne and Brisbane also had their own displays. Taiwan started celebrating early, and Samoa and American Samoa were last with their countdown at 23:00 UTC. Belgium had DJ’s and laser shows in Atomium, while in Ghent, Charlatan provided breakfast for the dancers following their party.
