Temperatures continue to rise as Belgium struggles to cope, over 20,000 people want to sleep in the Colruyt fridge to beat the heat, and a rail strike is called this weekend in Belgium.
Here’s a recap of the news you should know in Belgium this morning:
1. Water fights, shorter work shifts: Brussels braces for code red temperatures
As blistering heat pushes temperatures in Belgium to new highs, officials are preparing to face the first-ever red heatwave alert issued for most of the country, with several initiatives rolled out for the good of the country, and even some of the animals. Read more.
2. Over 20,000 Flemings want to spend the night in the Colruyt fridge
As the temperature rises to unprecedented levels this week, a novel event on Facebook has led to over 20,000 people expressing their interest in spending the night from Thursday to Friday in the Colruyt fridge. Read more.
3. Rail strikes to go ahead this weekend
The train strike planned for Saturday 27 July will go ahead following the failure of talks between staff and management at HR Rail and SNCB, the Syndicat indépendant des cheminots (SIC) indicated on Tuesday. Read more.
4. Belgian heatwave: here’s where you can find drinking fountains in Brussels
If you are outside during the heatwave, there are public water fountains around Brussels to help you stay hydrated. The Brussels Times created an interactive map of drinking fountains in the city. Read more.
5. Belgian heatwave: six million trees needed to make cities more liveable
On the weekend of July 27 and 28, the works will be carried out over the metro tunnel and will require the interruption of metro traffic between Yser and Elisabeth, STIB said in a statement. The transport operator will take the opportunity to carry out signalling work at the Elisabeth Station. Read more
6. Woman, 92, in serious condition after being run over on pedestrian crossing
An elderly woman was rushed to the hospital in a serious condition after she was hit by a car as she was using a zebra path to cross an avenue in the Brussels municipality of Ganshoren, according to reports on Tuesday. Read more
7. Bruges goes dark: street lighting fails due to a technical defect
Bruges and the surrounding areas went dark last night after a technical breakdown led the street lights in the city to fail. Read more.
Jules Johnston
The Brussels Times
