In Ostend the New Year’s fireworks have been cancelled, which was announced around noon. The fireworks will be moved to January 4 at 6 p.m. As an alternative, there will be an extra light show in Ostend under the light tunnel under Adolf Buylstraat. “This decision was taken carefully in consultation with the fireworks maker and after advice from the weatherman, based on the most recent weather forecasts. Safety comes first, and it is difficult to guarantee that with the current forecasts,” says Mayor John Crombez (Vooruit).
Also late due to the weather forecast Mechelen know that the planned fireworks show is cancelled. The city makes that decision for safety reasons. There is now a general ban on fireworks. “The planned party with DJs on the Grote Markt will go ahead, but it will be without a fireworks show. We cannot endanger the partygoers,” says Marc Baert (Voor Mechelen), chairman of Mechelen Feest.
The municipality Lommel reported on its website on Monday that weather conditions do not allow a safe performance of the fireworks on New Year’s Eve. The event has been postponed to January 4 at 7 p.m. at Hertog Janplein. Elsewhere in Lommel there is a general ban on fireworks. Also in the coastal municipality From Breakdown and in Hasseltthe planned fireworks on January 1 will not take place.
“We’re going to take the risk”
In Middelkerke there will be fireworks tonight. “The wind is blowing from land towards the sea, so we are going to take the risk,” says Mayor Jean-Marie Dedecker (LDD). The fireworks that were planned in Westende on January 1 will be postponed to 7 p.m. “The peak of the wind is expected at 3 p.m., so we decided to organize the fireworks a little later.”
Also in Saint Idesbald The fireworks can continue at Koksijde tonight. “The wind is still blowing towards the sea on New Year’s Eve, so everything can take place safely,” says Mayor Sander Loones (N-VA).
In Gent Last year, strong winds led to the show having to be canceled at the last minute. But after consultation with the fire brigade and the fireworks maker, the end-of-year fireworks at Portus Ganda can take place this year. The wind would not cause any safety problems. Also in Brussel the end-of-year fireworks are currently going ahead as planned.
Own fireworks?
Lighting your own fireworks is allowed in fewer and fewer Flemish municipalities. From a survey of the Newspaper and vzw Oscare, the aftercare and research center for people with burns and scars, it appears that in only 37.3 percent of Flemish cities and municipalities, private individuals are still allowed to light fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
West Flanders is a notable exception: in almost three-quarters of the municipalities, fireworks may be set off by private individuals, although in some cases a permit is required. The contrast with the other Flemish provinces is great. In East Flanders, which comes in second place, this percentage is 38.3 percent. Flemish Brabant scores the lowest: only 13.8 percent of municipalities allow fireworks, and only with a permit.
