1 dead, 33 injured in Wetteren train derailment

The news of the victims came somewhat as a surprise more than 12 hours after the disaster. The person who died is a local resident. Mr Briers could not confirm the exact cause of death at the press conference, but the victim probably died after inhaling toxic fumes. He lived close to the area where the disaster happened, and close to a place where different sewage systems come together.

Mr Briers said that air samples taken in the area this morning did not reveal alarming levels, and people were advised to stay indoors and keep their windows and doors closed. However, the toxic substances were taken to the sewage system by the water used to fight the blaze. Also, toxic fumes could have entered people's houses despite the windows and doors being closed. 

Of the 17 victims in hospital, 3 were in a life-threatening condition on Saturday afternoon, Mr Briers added.

The accident happened in Wetteren, east of Ghent, around 2 o'clock last night. The accident was followed by a number of explosions with some wagons immediately catching fire.

The train was carrying chemical substances from the Netherlands to the port of Ghent. The chemicals are dangerous and can pose a threat to people's health, explained Christian Vandevoorde of the local fire services: "It's acrylonitrile, a very toxic and inflammable fluid. It can cause breathing problems." Other problems include headache, vomiting and dizziness.

The local disaster plan was started, but measurements showed that there was no immediate danger for local residents. Still, a safety perimeter of 300 and later 500 metres was installed and as a prevention, some 500 local residents were evacuated.

Rail services between Gent-Sint-Pieters and Aalst, and between Gent-Sint-Pieters and Dendermonde were disrupted. An investigation has been started into the cause of the accident. The fire was under control this morning, but the damage is huge.