According to figures published by the Belgian rail company NMBS earlier this week, 39,000 lost property items were found at railway stations and on trains in Belgium last year. Bags, electrical appliances such as laptops and wallets/purses were the items most frequently forgotten by passengers on the country’s railways.
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From teddy bears and wallets to a wheelchair: 39,000 lost property items found on the railways in 2023
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More than half of the items lost were returned to their rightful owners. Among the more unusual items left behind were bicycles, scooters, buggies and even a wheelchair. Medical devices to help people with sleep apnea were also regularly forgotten on trains.
The Belgian rail company NMBS’ spokesman Bart Crols told VRT News that "We found a cuddly toy belonging to someone that had been to a youth camp inside rucksack that had no identification tag on it. The only thing we had to go on was a card that had been sent by the child’s grandparents that mentioned the name of the place where they live”.
"We set about looking for the various youth groups that have a branch in the village and we were able to return the cuddly toy to the child”.
Mr Crols cites another example "A boy had lost an entire series of magna comics. One of our employees looked at the list of items that had been brought into lost property and was able to contact the boy with good news. He was really happy because the comic books are of some sentimental value to him”.
Which items are left behind most often?
1. Bags and cases
2. Electronic appliances, such as laptops
3. Wallets and briefcases
4. Clothing and umbrellas
5. Keys and keyrings
Half of all lost property returned to owner
The percentage of lost property that is reunited with its rightful owner has increased in recent years. Last year around half of all items were returned. This compares with just 35% in 2017. Last year 80% of all the wallets found at stations or on trains were returned to their rightful owners.
Bart Crols explains that "The increase is thanks to an improvement in the service offered by NMBS since the end of 2019. It has become easier to report lost property and to provide a description of what has been lost”.
Last year rail passengers made a total of 61,000 lost property reports.
What should I do if I forget something on the train?
If you forget something on the train or in the station you can report it by filling in a form online.
Provide a detailed description of what you have lost. You can also upload a Photograph if you wish.
NMBS will then investigate whether there is match with any of the items it has in lost property. Lost property that isn’t claimed within 50 days is given t the charity shop Spullenhulp.