The number of people at the illegal rave on the former military domain in the province of Limburg which started on Friday night has expanded to 10,000, up from the previous estimate of 6,000.
The organisers of the party, who do not have a permit for the event, broke into the military domain in Brustem (Sint-Truiden), where other illegal parties have reportedly been organised in the past, at around 23:00 on Friday evening.
From the get-go, the rave caused a lot of inconvenience to local residents due to the very loud music and cars from as far as the Netherlands and Germany parking on the streets and in front of driveways.
As of Sunday morning, the party is still ongoing with an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 revellers, however, this figure has now increased to 10,000, Limburg governor Jos Lantmeeters said on Sunday. Over the past two days, it is thought some 15,000 young people already descended on the military domain.
Thousands of cars from different countries have been parked in the nearby streets, some in front of house and garage entrances. Credit: Belga/ Jill Delsaux
He argued that, while the situation remains relatively calm, it is overall a very dangerous one, as a lot of revellers are drinking alcohol and using drugs. While the organisers have not yet been tracked down, it is thought to be done by a professional organisation that knows how to deal with police.
"Pamphlets were handed out at the rave party with guidelines on how revellers should react if police approached them. This was put in place in two hours."
The provincial phase of crisis management was declared on Sunday following another consultation by Emergency Planning and Crisis Management Limburg, resulting in local police being reinforced.
However, a lot of people, especially locals who are troubled by the party, are wondering why the forces of law and order are not clearing the site.
No safe clearing possible
On Saturday, the crisis cell with representatives from the federal and local police, Defence, the public prosecutor’s office, emergency planning and crisis management Limburg as well as the local administration met again to see what additional measures could be taken.
“Obviously, clearing the site is the first question that we also asked the experts," explained the Mayor of Sint-Truiden, Ingrid Kempeneers, who added that she understands local residents feel unsafe and frustrated because no evacuation is taking place.
Credit: Belga/ Jill Delsaux
"Based on the people and resources available, it is not possible at this time to safely clear the vast area with such a large number of people present, often under the influence of narcotics. There are precedents elsewhere where the police acted. Here, the atmosphere among those present turned very quickly, endangering law enforcement and local residents and resulting in vandalism."
The local police have since received reinforcements from the federal police and defence forces, however, the priority is still to guard and secure the area and assist local residents.
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Police have already drawn up some official reports for, among other things, violations of the drug law. Police actions for alcohol and drug checks in traffic have also been taking place throughout the province and on all approach roads to check people planning to come to Sint-Truiden for the illegal rave party.
The police are making "every effort" to map the organisation, but that will be no mean feat. The ravers reportedly want to continue until Monday evening.
