A major security operation was launched on the E25 near Sprimont, in Liège province, on Saturday morning. An accident involving three vehicles occurred shortly before 10am on the carriageway towards Luxembourg. One of the motorists involved then barricaded himself inside his vehicle, claiming to be armed and carrying explosives.
According to the Belgian broadcaster RTBF, the man eventually surrendered. The precise circumstances of his surrender have not been disclosed.
Sprimont council activated its municipal crisis management plan after the man threatened to blow himself up. Traces of explosives were confirmed, according to the municipal authorities.
Negotiations had begun with the motorist, who was still inside his vehicle, Liège divisional prosecutor Gilles de Villers Grand Champs said. The operation aimed to neutralise the threat while ensuring the safety of those at the scene.
Contrary to the initial information given by Sprimont mayor Luc Delvaux, the man is not a police officer, judicial authorities told RTBF.
The accident left one person slightly injured. They were treated and evacuated. The occupants of around 50 vehicles – approximately 100 people – also had to be moved to safety. They were taken onto buses, according to the mayor of Sprimont.
Police closed the motorway in both directions and asked motorists in the affected area to leave their vehicles. A large-scale response was mobilised, including firefighters, the bomb disposal unit and the Federal Police’s DSU.
The closure of the E25 between Sprimont and Aywaille caused major disruption. A diversion was put in place via Sprimont and Aywaille, using the N678, N30 and N633. However, several alternative routes were congested.
The authorities urged motorists to avoid the area and follow the instructions of the emergency services and police. The man’s surrender marks a major development in the operation, but the information available does not yet indicate when the motorway will reopen to traffic.
