The incident happened in the early hours on Saturday and the train formed a zig-zag pattern across the tracks. At least 17 were injured and one possible death may be linked to the incident.
Hundreds had to be evacuated when a train derailed near the city of Gent, Belgium. BENOIT DOPPAGNE/AFP/Getty Images
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BRUSSELS — Belgian media say that hundreds of people were evacuated after a train carrying chemicals derailed and caught fire in northern Belgium.
Amateur video showed the train ablaze in the early hours of Saturday; in daylight, the train cars could be seen forming a zig-zag over the track.
The train was carrying chemicals and was on fire in the early hours of Saturday. BENOIT DOPPAGNE/AFP/Getty Images
Media, citing a statement from the East Flanders government, said that authorities were investigating if a death of someone in the area of the derailment was linked to the accident.
Residents who lived outside the 500-meter evacuation zone were told to keep their windows closed to avoiding getting sick from the chemicals and fire. NICOLAS MAETERLINCK/AFP/Getty Images
The statement said 17 people were injured. The fire was extinguished Saturday evening, the reports said.
Houses within 500 meters of the train were evacuated — and residents were asked to stay away even after the fire went out.
Others farther away were asked to stay at home and close their windows.
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