In Torhout (West Flanders), an urban explorer has found a body in the attic of a squat. He had entered the building to take photos. The body is that of a 39-year-old man from Poland. The police and public prosecutor's office are conducting an investigation, but this is proving difficult because the building has seen many visitors and is full of traces.
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Urban explorer breaks into squat in Torhout only to find dead body in loft
Colin Clapson
Published:
An urban explorer is a person who explores abandoned buildings or industrial sites without seeking permission so to do.
At around 10 o'clock on Wednesday morning, the urban explorer, a minor, who was said to be accompanied by an adult, entered the squat on Bassinstraat in the centre of Torhout. He proceeded to find a body in the attic. The body appears to be that of a 39-year-old Polish man, who was living in Torhout with his family.
The urban explorers immediately called the emergency services. The police and forensic experts arrived at the scene but could only confirm that the man had died.
Although foul play is not immediately suspected, the public prosecutor's office launched an investigation. Local police carried out the initial investigation, secured the property and conducted a door-to-door.
Busy squat
‘We can confirm that the body of a deceased man was found in the building,’ says Griet De Prest of the West Flemish public prosecutor's office. ‘An investigation into a suspicious death is still ongoing. But all avenues are still open. The CSI team and a forensic doctor are on site and we are awaiting their findings.’
The forensic investigation is proving difficult because the squat sees many visitors, local residents confirm. ‘There's a constant to-ing and fro-ing. Last weekend, there was even a party. Fireworks were set off. We heard that.’
The CSI team has now completed its investigation.