Maasmechelen Village shopping center completely evacuated: what we know

The famous Maasmechelen Village shopping center was completely evacuated this Thursday late afternoon. A suspicious package spotted nearby mobilized mine clearance services and led to the installation of a large security perimeter.

The tranquility of Maasmechelen Village, a shopping mecca in the province of Limburg, was abruptly interrupted this Thursday late in the afternoon. A suspicious package was discovered in the Lanklaar area, where the shopping center and several other stores are located.

Immediately alerted, the authorities set up a security perimeter of around 300 meters around the area concerned. All visitors and employees present on the site were urgently evacuated as a precaution.

The Explosive Ordnance Removal and Destruction Service (SEDEE) was dispatched to the scene to examine the suspicious package and determine whether it represents a real threat.

At this time, no additional details have been communicated about the incident. Local authorities are continuing their intervention to ensure public safety and to remove doubt about the nature of the object discovered.

Maasmechelen Village evacuation