The eighth day of the Ghent Festivities drew a crowd of 220,000 visitors, marking the busiest day of the event this year.
Favourable weather and an enticing programme led to several squares remaining open an hour longer, allowing the large crowds to disperse gradually. However, the festive atmosphere was disrupted by incidents in multiple locations.
Ghent police recorded 17 fights from Friday night into Saturday. In one incident at the Korenmarkt, a man briefly lost consciousness and was treated on site. Police also issued 46 fines for public urination, towed four vehicles, and noted four traffic violations.
The night was also demanding for medical services. The Red Cross treated 242 individuals at their first-aid stations. Ambulances were dispatched nine times, and 15 people visited emergency departments independently.
There was a report of possible spiking as well. An employee of eyewear brand Odette Lunettes became severely unwell and spent the night in the emergency room. Business owner Eline De Munck speculated on social media that someone may have spiked her drink. Police noted that no significant number of reports had been received, and isolated cases sometimes have other medical or harmless explanations.
As the Ghent Festivities gear up for their final weekend, highlights include a tribute to Luc De Vos at the Luisterplein, a schlager night at the Korenmarkt, and numerous street artist performances that have brightened the cityscape for the past eight days.
