Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A human corpse was discovered in Blokkersdijk Nature Reserve, located on Antwerp’s Left Bank section on Tuesday. The local police verified this discovery. The body was found in a tent.
A man’s dead body surfaced within a tent located at the Blokkersdijk nature reserve situated on Antwerp’s Left Bank region on Tuesday. The reserve manager notified the authorities, who responded right away at the site. The authorities maintain silence regarding both the cause of death and the length of time the victim stayed at the location.
The authorities made the recovery at the Blokkersdijk nature reserve that stands between the 3M chemical plant and the upcoming Scheldt tunnel construction site. Police and forensic teams immediately secured the area before starting an investigation to identify the cause of death as well as its background factors. Additional information related to the victim or possible death causes remains undisclosed while the investigative process continues.
What is the crime and homelessness situation in Antwerp’s Left Bank?
Evidence shows that crime statistics in Antwerp’s Left Bank area (Linkeroever) have shown variations in recent times because they include reports of theft and drug offences combined with sporadic examples of violent crimes.
Official police statistics from Antwerp show that the entire Antwerp territory had more than 50,000 recorded crimes during 2022, but independent statistics for the Left Bank area remain unavailable.
The problem of homelessness continues through local shelters, which are experiencing more people seeking their services. According to official data from the 2023 homeless count, the city contains 1,200 unhoused people, yet activists predict the number is greater than statistics reveal.
The Blokkersdijk nature reserve sits next to multiple infrastructure projects, including the current construction of the new Scheldt tunnel, in addition to its status as a semi-industrial zone. Topographical isolation draws transitory homeless people to these areas.
The police maintenance records show occasional illegal camping events in this area but no reported deaths. The port district of Antwerp witnessed a fatal event involving a homeless person discovered in their makeshift shelter in 2021.
The outreach programs run by local authorities continue to assist vulnerable groups even though various obstacles remain. Social services in Antwerp report that mental health problems alongside substance abuse affect about 30% of their homeless cases, which makes their assistance challenging.
The left bank serves as an informal dwelling for people in unstable circumstances due to its proximity to industrial zones and transport hubs. The results of the ongoing police investigation, together with forensic evidence, will determine additional key information about this case.
