Train services were cancelled on Monday morning at Liège-Guillemins station after a railway worker was attacked on Sunday night, reported the railway company on their website.
The Belgian General Federation of Public Services Workers confirmed that a train driver was assaulted with a knife while parking his train at Kinkempois. Following the incident, train drivers and conductors spontaneously stopped work on Monday morning.
“Kinkempois workshop is often frequented by those who graffiti and vandalise trains,” explained Thierry Moers, national secretary of the railway workers’ union. The driver’s assault occurred around 21:50 on Sunday as he was returning his train to the depot.
"He encountered individuals who tried to slash his face with a knife. He managed to defend himself by putting his arm up, and he’s been injured on his wrist and arm," the union representative added.
The trade union could not yet confirm when work would resume. The decision would largely depend on the outcomes of a district management meeting scheduled for 10:00, as stated by the Liège representative of the CGSP, Anthony Signorino-Gelo.
Regarding passenger services, the SNCB stated that travellers could instead use Tec buses (serving the Liège and Namur regions) with their train tickets.
