BRUSSELS – Hundreds of train passengers were stuck on a defective train for almost two hours during the rush hour on Wednesday. A faulty locomotive came to a standstill between Denderleeuw and Ghent. Three trains had to be stopped, stranding a total of 2,100 passengers on board.

Not only the faulty train between Schaarbeek and Kortijk came to a standstill, but two other trains behind it – one heading from Eupen to Ostend, the other from Landen to De Panne – were also stopped and later forced to return to Denderleeuw.

The spokesperson for rail infrastructure manager Infrabel says it was a “lamentable incident.” This stretch is the busiest rail connection in the country. Transport company NMBS offers its apologies to passengers.

[Copyright Expatica News 2007]

Subject: Belgian news