Commemoration for 11 deminers who lost their lives 100 years ago

On June 24, 1922, Wijtschate was startled by a large explosion caused by an accident involving war munitions. Eleven people lost their lives as a result. Isidoor Odent from Ypres started his last working day at the Ypres service, which clears up war ammunition. He and a few colleagues set to work in Wijtschate. The workers put the weaponry on a wagon, to detonate it further on. But it goes wrong. The cart overturns, causing an explosion. Eleven people are killed, including ten from Ypres and a man from Bulskamp. The latter is a veteran.

Isidoor Odent (55) was taken to hospital, but succumbed to his injuries a day later. He was the father of eight children. His oldest was 32 years old, the youngest 9.

Besides Isidoor Odent, the names of the victims are: August Coffyn, Victor Coffyn, Edmond Doom, Hilaire Dumortier, Arthur Kerrinck, Victor Marveillie, Emeric Taillieu, Camille Vanhoecke, Pierre Van Sevenant, all from Ypres and Medard Decrock from Bulskamp near Veurne.

Today at 5 pm there will be a moment of silence at the place where the disaster took place exactly 100 years ago, near Croonaert Chapel Cemetery (photo). There is also a song sung, dedicated to the victims.