There is major disruption to rail and tram services in Antwerp after a suspicious package was found inside the city’s Central Railway Station. The station and the adjacent Diamant underground tram stop have been evacuated.
Antwerp
Antwerp’s Central Station evacuated after the discovery of a suspicious package
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All the entrances to the station have been closed and the police advise to avoid the area. The Antwerp Local Police Service spokesman Wouter Bruyns told VRT News that “We have cordoned off the area and there is a large police presence to ensure that the security perimeter is not breeched. We are awaiting the arrival of the bomb disposal service Dovo to assess just how great the risk actually is”. Dovo has since arrived at the station.
Rail services at the station have been suspended. Dimitri Temmerman of the Belgian rail company NMBS told VRT News that “No trains are arriving at or departing from the station. Passengers can use their rail tickets to take a bus or a tram to Antwerp Berchem station. There you should also expect delays”.
Underground tram stop also evacuated
The Flemish public transport company De Lijn reports that the Diamant underground tram stop that is located under Antwerp Central Station has also been evacuated. Tram routes 2, 6, 9, and 15 are being diverted.
However, the Astrid underground tram stop that is not far from Antwerp Central has not been evacuated for the time being at least. This means that there are still trams running between the city centre and Antwerp’s Left Bank.