The police have arrested two further suspects, two 19-year-olds, in connection with the violent incident on the coastal tram in De Haan on Sunday evening. They have been taken into custody, along with the suspect who was arrested earlier, the Bruges branch of the West Flanders Public Prosecutor’s Office has revealed. A fourth suspect remains at large.
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Assault on tram in De Haan: Two further suspects apprehended; one still at large
Colin Clapson
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The incident took place on Sunday at around 7.30 pm on a coastal tram near the Vosseslag stop in the seaside resort of De Haan. During a ticket inspection, four people were unable to produce a valid ticket.
Three suspects fled, whilst an 18-year-old man from Ninove in East Flanders was detained by De Lijn staff. However, his three companions then returned, leading to a fracas.
Five De Lijn staff members were injured in the incident. “In addition to punching and kicking transport company inspectors, the tram driver also took a beating,” the public prosecutor’s office reports.
Three suspects fled the scene. Another suspect was arrested by the police. Two police officers sustained injuries in the process after the man, an East Fleming from Ninove, resisted arrest. At least one of those assaulted is now off work on sick leave as a result of the incident.
Fourth suspect still at large
This morning, the public prosecutor’s office announced that the 18-year-old man from Ninove will be charged with intentional assault and battery.
One of the other two men was arrested at home on Monday evening by local police in the Halle, Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, Beersel area, whilst the third suspect was arrested in Brussels. They too will be brought before a Bruges investigating judge on Tuesday. The fourth suspect is still being tracked down.