The operation of 117 national and international trains was affected in Belgium yesterday (Monday). This was caused by the presence of one individual on the track above Brussels-Congress. This caused a total of 23 hours of delay, the management of the railway infrastructure company Infrabel has announced today (Tuesday).
Train circulation was temporarily halted between 1.45 p.m. and 2.10 p.m. The Infrabel spokesman, Frédéric Petit, is calling for respect for railway safety rules.
Mr Petit has indicated that the incident caused 1,401 minutes of delay for 117 trains. Two trains also had to be cancelled. In total, 108 national trains were affected (with 1,308 minutes delay) and nine international trains (93 minutes).
As stated above, the Infrabel spokesman has called for “respect for railway safety rules.”
He indicated, “This is very important for safety, but also for train traffic at peak times. Yesterday's incident demonstrates the disastrous impact that this behaviour may have on railway traffic circulation at busy times.”
Each day, one third of trains go between Brussels-North and Brussels Midi, or 1,200 of the 3.600 passenger trains, which are part of Belgian's railway traffic.
Mr Petit concluded, “This incident therefore had consequences for a multitude of lines.”
The Brussels Times
