Around 200,000 people took part in the activities arranged for the National Day celebrations on Saturday, with the final fireworks display on the Place des Palais closed once the limit of 25,000 people had been reached. According to the Red Cross, 198 people were treated for various complaints, of whom 14 were taken to hospital. The majority of complaints were related to the heat.
According to Gauthier Demaret, spokesperson for the private organisation which has now been employed to organise the National Day, the public was more numerous that last year.
As well as the traditional fly-over by the air force, the day was marked by a military march which this year was ignored by the civil defence force, which has continuing issues regarding pay and condition, and by a range of activities in the Royal Park facing the palace.
Among them, around 20 giants, and a woman suspended from a balloon crossing the Rue de la Regence. In the royal park, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde joined the public to enjoy the entertainment to mark the fifth year of his reign, provided by some 20 associations who have worked with the royal couple over that time.
Alan Hope
The Brussels Times
