Deinze (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A reserve match, RSCA Futures–Beerschot in Deinze, was disrupted by Asian hornets; 15 fans were injured, and the nest was removed by firefighters with Dominique Soete, raising concerns about rising hornet cases in Belgium.
As VRT News reported, a reserve football match between RSCA Futures and Beerschot in Deinze, in the province of East Flanders, Belgium, was disrupted on Friday evening, Sep 12, 2025, after visiting supporters were attacked by a swarm of Asian hornets.
The insects originated from a concealed nest in an abandoned shed located beside a razed stand. Ten people were treated onsite by emergency services, while five others were transported to the hospital for additional care. Several Beerschot supporters were relocated to another part of the stadium for safety.
“We did this by spraying the nest with an insecticide spray,”
Soete explains.
“The hornets die in the nest within 30 seconds. We then slid a box over the nest and were able to remove it. It all went smoothly.”
What role are Asian Hornets playing in Belgium’s rising emergency calls?
The nest was removed over the weekend by firefighters with support from Dominique Soete of Vespawatch and researchers from Ghent University. Experts confirmed it was a primary nest containing only workers and males. The site was declared safe once the removal was complete. Officials said the swift intervention prevented any wider risk to the stadium and the surrounding area.
“Because it was a primary nest, we do not need to set traps nearby to catch the queens.”
Dominique Soete from Vespawatch
Soete explained that in some towns these cases already make up nearly half of all reported incidents. Nest removal is part of the fire service’s duty, but the high volume has made it difficult for many units to cope.
Not every team has the right training or knowledge of the safest removal methods. Soete warned that if this gap is not addressed with proper training, the fire service could soon face an even greater strain as nest numbers increase further.
Firefighters often try not to use insecticides because of the impacts that the chemicals can have on the environment and individuals. Some organisations employ vacuum systems that can extract hornets and nests with no harm, which can be effective in certain situations.
The rise in hornet nest removals is linked to the spread of the invasive Asian hornet (Vespa velutina), first detected in Belgium in 2016. Since then, sightings have increased every year, with official monitoring programs reporting a significant expansion of colonies in Flanders and Wallonia by 2020.
By 2023, several provinces reported record numbers of nests, prompting regional governments to introduce action plans and awareness campaigns. Authorities warn that the trend is expected to continue in 2024 and beyond, placing added pressure on fire services tasked with handling removals.
