A woman has been seriously injured in an attack on the towpath of a canal in Antwerp Province. The woman was walking along the towpath next to the Herentals-Bocholt Canal on Thursday evening. A passer-by saw the attack and was able to notify the police. Wim Van Reusel of the Neteland Local Police Service told VRT News that a suspect has since been apprehended and is now in custody.
At around 8.10pm on Thursday a passerby heard strange noises coming from the bushes next to the towpath. He found 2 people, a man and a woman on the ground there. The man immediately fled the scene. Wim Van Reusel of the Neteland Local Police Service told VRT News that the woman was covered in blood and was seriously injured.
The police were soon at the scene, and they started a search for the suspect. Based on the witness's description, an identikit image was circulated through the local Neighbourhood Watch groups. The suspect was eventually apprehended at around 10pm “in the Herentals area”. The man was arrested and is currently in custody.
The victim has serious injuries, particularly to her face, and is being treated in hospital.