Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Antwerp Fire Zone trained 120 firefighters in large floating tunnel sections for the Scheldt tunnel emergency drills. Nike Neirynck emphasised improved teamwork and readiness before the tunnel’s opening.
As VRT News reported, the Antwerp Fire Zone held a special training inside an empty tunnel section floating in the Doel Dock at the Port of Antwerp. These tunnel parts are 160 meters long, 42 meters wide, and 10 meters high.
They will soon form the new Scheldt tunnel, part of the Oosterweel link project to improve traffic in the area. Officials mentioned that before being placed under the river, the empty tunnels gave firefighters a chance to practice emergency drills.
How is Antwerp Fire Zone preparing 120 firefighters for Scheldt tunnel emergencies?
Nike Neirynck from the Antwerp Fire Department said the training was a rare chance to practice real emergencies inside a tunnel. She said the exercises helped firefighters improve how they move, talk, and work together in emergencies with few exits and low light. This training makes them ready for when the tunnel opens.
About 120 firefighters from the Antwerp and Waasland brigades took part in a major exercise inside the floating tunnel sections at Doel Dock. The training was held 4 times, with teams of 30 firefighters each.
During the drills, they practised rescuing a worker trapped deep inside the tunnel. Although the tunnel sections are partly underwater, the inside stayed dry. Firefighters entered through tunnel shafts, simulating real access points they will use once the tunnel is operational.
On August 19th, 2025, contractor Lantis will lower the 4th tunnel section into place underground. The project will continue with the installation of the 8th and final section, scheduled for December 2025.
The Ghent Fire Service also took part in the European “UpSafety” project to make rescue work in underground places safer. The project focused on areas like road tunnels, metro stations, and parking garages.
Firefighters practised realistic drills and worked closely with different teams to improve how they communicate and act during emergencies underground. It is similar to the Antwerp floating tunnel training, both aiming to boost firefighters’ skills and readiness in tricky tunnel situations.
