Ghent (The Brussels Morning newspaper): On 30th August at 1:10 PM, a suspicious package found near Ghent’s Sint-Pieters station prompted a police response, leading to evacuations and transport disruptions until the package was deemed harmless.
On August 31, 2024 at 1:10 PM, the police in Ghent got a report about a suspicious package found between the bus stops and the station, close to the Pans sandwich shop. The authorities took precautions to keep everyone safe. The police blocked off a large area to stop people from getting too close to the package, focusing on the safety of commuters and bystanders.
What actions were taken after a suspicious package was found at Ghent’s Sint-Pieters sation?
Matto Langeraert, the spokesperson for the Ghent police, stated that they closed off part of the area to ensure safety. This affected the area around the station and nearby bus stops, causing temporary issues for public transport and pedestrians. The police collaborated with other emergency services to assess the situation and keep the public informed. Increased security measures were put in place and specialized teams were likely called in to inspect the package to confirm it was safe. Once they determined there was no danger, the cordon was lifted, allowing normal activities to resume in the area.
The incident caused a lot of trouble because a large part of the front of the station was closed, including the Kiss & Ride area and part of Maria Hendrikaplein. The police blocked off the area to keep everyone safe while they checked a suspicious package. They set up barriers to redirect traffic and public transport, which helped reduce risks for commuters. After the DOVO bomb squad checked the package, they found it was safe it was just a pole with wires wrapped in plastic. Even though it was a false alarm, it was unclear who left it there. The police acted quickly to ensure safety, and once the package was declared harmless, they slowly reopened the area
The temporary closure has been messing up public transport in front of the station all afternoon. For example, De Lin buses had to stop at Parklaan instead of their regular stops. Tram drivers had to turn around early. People who wanted to take the train could only go in through the back of the station because the front platforms, 1 to 6, were closed. Now, the police say that train services are back to normal.
