Belgian news in brief, 31 October 2005

Poultry ordered indoors

The compulsory lock-up for poultry in risk areas came into force on Monday in a bid to prevent an outbreak of the bird flu virus. However, the Federal Food Agency was reporting problems with its website unable to handle the number of visitors seeking information. The agency was working on a new and more powerful web application late on Monday afternoon.

Less aggression on trains

In 2004, some 595 cases of aggression against train conductors were recorded, 7.37 percent less than in 2003. The number of physical aggression cases declined by 2.21 percent to 177 cases. To combat aggression on trains, rail operator NMBS-SNCB increased in 2004 the number of special supervision teams from 11 to 15 and from 15 to 20 in February 2005. Staff were also trained how to deal better with aggression.

60km traffic jam after truck rollover

A truck rollover at 6.45am on the Brussels ring road caused long delays for morning peak-hour motorists. A traffic jam of 60km had built up by 10am in Groenendaal, extending to Waterloo. The ring road was eventually re-opened at 2.50pm. The truck was loaded with 44 tonnes of apricots. The driver was slightly hurt. No other vehicles were involved in the accident.

Man breaks into royal palace

A man on drugs broke into the royal palace in Brussels on Friday. Pursued by police after threatening them with a knife, the man smashed a window to gain entry, but overpowered a short time later. The King or Queen did not notice the intrusion: they were not home at the time of the incident.

Subject: Belgian news