Suspicious package found at Gent-Sint-Pieters: station evacuated and train and bus services halted, DOVO on site (Ghent)

Ghent-Sint-Pieters is being evacuated. — © lmd

The Sint-Pieters station in Ghent was evacuated by the police on Friday afternoon after a suspicious package was found next to the busy station. Train and bus traffic was also halted, and the DOVO bomb disposal service arrived on the scene. The suspicious package turned out to contain an advertising tarpaulin, wire and poles.

Today at 16:17

The suspicious package was not spotted in the station building itself, but outside. At 13:20, a call came in to the police. A perimeter was set up and DOVO, the army’s bomb disposal service, was called in. (Continue reading below the photo)

The entrance hall of the busy station was evacuated and cordoned off by the police, as was the bus square: the package was found in that area. After an inspection by a DOVO robot, the package was cut open. It turned out to be an advertising tarpaulin that was packed together with wire and poles. So no harmful contents. The perimeter has now been lifted and the Sint-Pieters station has been released. The trains can start running again.

Train traffic was partially halted

A large part of the station building itself was evacuated after the report and some train traffic was stopped. Passengers who wanted to take a train on tracks 8 to 12 could still do so, along the back of the station. Passengers were kept at a distance and had to wait in the vicinity of the Sint-Pieters station.

Tram traffic was also disrupted and the Koningin Maria Hendrikaplein, in front of the station, was completely closed off. Around the station, many Securail employees stood to provide travelers with explanations and information about alternative travel routes.