Car drives into carnivalists in Walloon Strépy: “At least four dead, including a child” | Inland

Drama in the rue des Canadiens in Strépy-Bracquegnies near La Louvière in the province of Hainaut. A driver drove into dozens of carnivalists early this morning, who were gathering for the carnival procession that would leave at 11 am. Mayor of La Louvière, Jacques Gobert, reports that four people have been killed, including a child. Earlier there were five deaths, but the police keep the provisional balance at four. Among the slightly injured is also ships Toni Gava.

Two young people are said to have been in the car who were on the run from the police, RTBF reports. According to eyewitnesses, the car drove into the people at a high speed, without braking. The passengers have been arrested.

Eight ambulances arrived on the scene. The municipal contingency plan was announced. The Saint-Julien sports hall serves as an emergency shelter.

According to Fabrice Collignon, presenter at Bel RTL, carnivalists were collected from house to house. “There were about 150 of us on a long, straight street,” he tells RTL Info. “We heard a huge noise behind us and a car literally drove into the group of people. It was a scene I never imagined that I would ever see them. The car accelerated and by the time we realized something was up, everyone was on the ground. People were screaming, it was terrible.”

Condolences are pouring in on social media, along with testimonials. “There were more than 20 people everywhere, on the ground, on the road and on the sidewalks, for a length of 30 meters,” one person wrote. “There wasn’t much we could do except comfort them. The people were completely distraught. It’s a disaster.”

Minister of the Interior Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) also expressed her condolences to the victims of the carnival drama in Strépy-Bracquegnies. “Deep condolences to the families and friends of those killed and injured in the incident this morning in Strépy. What was supposed to be a great party turned into a drama. We are following the situation closely,” she said on Twitter.