A car chase in France led to the death of a Belgian police officer and one other person on Tuesday evening.
At around 22:45 on Tuesday evening, a vehicle suspected of being involved in drug trafficking came to a halt while being chased by Belgian police in Angevillers, a commune in France’s Moselle department (40 kilometres from the Belgian border).
The vehicle initially ignored an order to stop on the Brussels-Luxembourg motorway. Two Belgian police vehicles pursued the car, which was crossing the border into France from Belgium.
When the vehicle being pursued came to an abrupt halt, the first police car was able to avoid the vehicle. The second police car did drive into it, but there were no injuries and there was no major damage. The two occupants then started running. The driver crossed the road, the occupant stayed on the side of the road. A police officer chased the driver, after which both were hit by a third vehicle. Both died at the scene.
The other occupant of the car was arrested on the spot, Thionville Public Prosecutor Brice Partouche explained in a statement. He has since been released. The Belgian officers have also been questioned.
According to Partouche, the two occupants threw the drugs out of the car during the pursuit on Belgian territory. It was recovered by the Belgian police and handed over to the French investigators.
"We must unfortunately confirm that a colleague from the traffic police died during an intervention on the D14 just beyond the French border," Federal police told Belga News Agency. "Out of respect for his family, friends and close colleagues, we will not provide further details at this time. Our thoughts are with them."
The deceased officer was a 35-year-old father of two.
Interior Minister Bernard Quintin (MR) paid tribute to the deceased officer on social media.
"Last night, a Belgian policeman lost his life in the line of duty during an operation against drug trafficking," he said. "Our thoughts are with his family, colleagues and loved ones."
"Respect for all the officers who commit themselves every day in dangerous circumstances to guarantee our safety."
Hier soir, un policier belge a perdu la vie en service lors d'une opération contre le trafic de drogue.
Pensées pour sa famille, ses collègues, ses proches. Respect pour tous les agents qui s'engagent chaque jour dans des circonstances dangereuses pour garantir notre sécurité. — Bernard Quintin (@BernardQuintin_) June 25, 2025
Brussels Public Prosecutor Julien Moinil also expressed his "deepest condolences" for the officer, his family and his colleagues.
"This unit is essential in rescuing citizens in road accidents, but also in protecting our highways from the scourge of organized crime and criminality," he said of the police officer's unit. "Its work, like that of the entire integrated police force, is invaluable."
Police in Metz and Thionville have taken over the investigation. They must investigate, among other things, the circumstances of the Belgian chase on French roads, as well as the precise circumstances of the accident.
