Explosion fears force motorway’s closure

23 June 2005

BRUSSELS — A serious accident involving a truck carrying a flammable load took place on the E40 motorway shortly after 7am on Thursday.

The chain collision involved the truck and several other vehicles, but no injuries were reported.

However, due to fears of an explosion, the motorway was closed in both directions, newspaper ‘Het Nieuwsblad’ reported. The all-clear was given at about 11.30am.

A couple of drums containing a flammable material were found to be leaking after the accident and the Asse fire brigade was dispatched to the scene.

The Brussels-bound lanes of the E40 were sealed off at Aalst, leading to traffic problems for much of the morning.

Due to the warm weather, the Red Cross was handing out water to motorists caught in the traffic delays.

[Copyright Expatica News 2005]

Subject: Belgian news