Vilvoorde (Eurotoday) – A 17-year-old girl was hospitalized after suffering adverse effects from a combination of alcohol and drug use during the Horst Arts & Music Festival in Vilvoorde. The teenager, a volunteer working at the event, experienced a serious health emergency during the second night of the festival, prompting swift intervention by medical personnel on-site.
The incident, which occurred around midnight, garnered immediate attention due to the volunteer’s deteriorating condition. According to festival organizers, while the girl’s life was momentarily in danger, she did not require resuscitation and was eventually discharged from the hospital in stable condition.
“She was in mortal danger for a moment but did not need to be resuscitated,” said Jochem Daelman, one of the event’s organizers. “Luckily, she is now stable and was allowed to leave the hospital.”
Preliminary findings reveal the teenager was under the influence of both alcohol and drugs at the time of the incident.
“It was about experimenting with alcohol and drugs, which went wrong. We find this incident very regrettable. In our 11-year existence, we have only experienced a limited number of drug-related incidents. We pay a lot of attention to this,” added the organizers.
The girl is part of a scout group that was assisting at the festival campsite. Officials have committed to reaching out to both the teenager and her scout group to provide support.
“We will contact the girl and the scout group today, not only to inform them but also to support them emotionally. An incident like this leaves its mark on young people,” stated the organization.
Friday night at the festival saw a surge in activity at the first aid post, with over 200 interventions. Most were for minor issues like blisters, abrasions, or allergic reactions. While there were a few other drug-related cases, none were as severe as the incident involving the 17-year-old volunteer.
What Prior Incidents Have Occurred at Belgian Music Festivals Involving Drugs and Alcohol?
Belgium’s largest electronic music celebration, Tomorrowland, held annually in Boom, Antwerp province, has also faced similar challenges. Over the years, the widely popular festival has seen several drug-related incidents. In 2023 alone, two people died due to drug use at the event—a 35-year-old visitor from Thailand and a 26-year-old staff member. Of the six total deaths reported at Tomorrowland over the past 11 years, four were confirmed to be drug-related.
These recurring tragedies have intensified the call for better harm reduction strategies and preventative measures at festivals across Belgium. Health experts and event organizers are working together on a variety of initiatives. For instance, at Pukkelpop, the “We care a lot” project provides free alcohol testing to combat drunk driving. Additionally, recent developments have seen authorities advocate for on-site drug testing programs to help prevent overdoses and save lives.
Eurotoday is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. Eurotoday delivers independent and comprehensive coverage on European and international news, with a particular focus on EU policy, Member State developments, and the continent’s role in global affairs.
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