Zeebrugge (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – In Zeebrugge, 2 Eastern European truck drivers attacked a couple in Strandwijk, killing a 58-year-old man. Mayor Dirk De Fauw will join Thursday’s white march honouring the victim.
Mayor Dirk De Fauw (CD&V) of Bruges will join a white march against violence in Zeebrugge, part of Bruges, on Thursday, Aug 28, 2025. Mayor De Fauw called the attack unacceptable but said it should not make people think the area is unsafe.
“We do not know what started the argument, but hitting, knocking, and stomping on someone is never acceptable,”
He said.
He explained that the Strandwilk district is not a run-down area. There are no vacant properties, and serious incidents are very rare. The mayor said constant police surveillance is not necessary. He added that this single attack should not change how people see the neighbourhood.
“Hitting, beating and stamping is never acceptable, but this deadly violence is an isolated incident.”
Dirk De Fauw, mayor of Bruges (CD&V)
What led to the deadly truck attack in Zeebrugge?
The port authority in Bruges already has a large parking area in the port, equipped with restroom facilities for drivers. Authorities recently submitted a revitalisation project for the Transport Zone to the Flemish government, seeking subsidies to improve the area. This zone is believed to be the location where the 2 truck drivers involved in the recent incident came from.
In addition, a new gas station is under construction in the inner harbour. The development also includes a large new truck parking lot, designed to handle more vehicles and improve overall infrastructure in the port area.
“But this won’t be enough. There needs to be more space for trucks, with restrooms and shops. But even with more accommodations for the drivers, you can’t prevent those people from taking a walk during the weekend, “
Dirk De Fauw said.
The public prosecutor’s office has issued a search notice for the 2 Eastern European truck drivers and shared images to help locate them.
“You can’t stop truck drivers from taking a walk on the weekend”,
Dirk De Fauw said.
The march comes after a serious attack in the Strandwijk district, a neighbourhood along the beach that borders the busy Zeebrugge port. The area sees a lot of truck traffic because of the port’s transport activities. On Friday evening, Aug 22, 2025, around 9:30 PM, 2 Eastern European truck drivers stopped at a local convenience store to buy cans of drinks and a bag of chips.
Inside the store, they argued with a couple from Zeebrugge who had just returned from a beach party. The couple then went to a nearby pita shop. While walking with their food, the 2 drivers attacked them on the street. The 58-year-old man died from his injuries.
“We notice that a lot of drivers stay in their trucks in Zeebrugge during the weekend. The Transport Zone is located near the Strandwik district. Hundreds of trucks are parked there during the weekend. The drivers–mostly of Eastern European origin-naturally go for a walk and end up in the Strandwiik district,”
Dirk De Fauw said.
