3-ton bell falls, other bells shut down

The fall was probably caused by an air bubble in the ancient bronze. Bart Vercauteren, Church Factory Sint-Salvatorskathedraal: “The clock in question weighs 3,300 kilograms. And it moves completely, so there are enormous forces on it. Over time, that will probably have led to the split.”

Similar bells hang in the tower. To be sure, they are now silent. Visitors can no longer get under the bell tower. “The clock that has fallen is currently stable. It’s fixed. But of course we shouldn’t put any extra forces on that. That is why, unfortunately, the clocks are currently silent.”

During next week’s Procession of the Holy Blood you will therefore not hear any bells from the tower of the cathedral.