Belgium woke to a day marked by serious crime and accidents, alongside a rise in coronavirus levels in Leuven’s sewage. International tensions also continued, while sport brought a brighter note as Demi Vollering added a European title to her year.
The public war of words between comedians Bart De Pauw and Xander De Rycke continues. After De Rycke responded in a video message to earlier comments by De Pauw, De Pauw has replied again via social media. In a video, De Pauw reads a fictional letter from “little Xander,” who says he is being bullied.
Three men from Antwerp have been detained as part of an investigation into the years-long sexual abuse of unconscious women. Investigators found thousands of images on computers belonging to a 41-year-old suspect, showing women possibly being sexually abused while under the influence or unconscious. Some incidents may date back to 2008. The investigation is ongoing.
A father and his nine-year-old son were seriously injured Saturday morning in a head-on collision between a van and a car on a rural road in Rosmeer. The child sustained the most serious injuries. The van’s two occupants were also injured, but their injuries were less serious than the child’s.
High concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 have again been detected in Leuven’s wastewater. According to virologist Elke Wollants of KU Leuven’s Rega Institute, these are the highest levels in a year. She warns that the coronavirus is currently circulating strongly again, indicating a new surge in viral activity in the city.
A serious crash occurred on the E34 in Antwerp province at around 5:50 a.m. this morning. One person was killed. The crash happened at the Steenweg op Gierle interchange, exactly on the border between Vosselaar and Turnhout, where the motorway has on- and off-ramps.
Russia has again urged diplomats and foreign residents to leave Kyiv. The warning is aimed at people in the Ukrainian capital. The appeal comes amid the war in Ukraine and new developments in the conflict. Kyiv thus remains central to international security concerns over Ukraine.
A pleasure boat was completely destroyed by fire on the water in Blankenberge marina at around 4 p.m. The two people aboard managed to get themselves to safety. Initial estimates suggest the flames started accidentally, although witnesses also heard an explosion. The incident happened in the afternoon while the boat was in the marina.
In Slovenia, Demi Vollering won the European road race title, capping what she called a golden year. The Dutch rider continued her impressive winning streak and finished ahead of compatriot Puck Pieterse, securing a Dutch one-two. Audrey Dekeersmaeker was the best Belgian in the race, finishing 13th.
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