Mechelen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Earlier this week at De Nekker in Mechelen, 3 girls spotted a “crocodile,” which was a plastic training object. Spokeswoman Ellen Wauters and firefighters confirmed no danger.
As GVA News reported, earlier this week, 3 girls at the provincial sports and recreation area De Nekker in Mechelen reported seeing what they thought was a crocodile while they were on their surfboards. Their story quickly drew attention from local people and authorities.
Many visitors were worried about their safety, and officials decided to investigate. After careful searching, no crocodile was found. The sighting turned out to be a false alarm, and the girls’ encounter did not pose any real danger.
What Is the Object Seen as a Crocodile at De Nekker Mechelen?
Ellen Waters, the spokeswoman for the province of Antwerp, said the report was treated very seriously.
“We took the report seriously and immediately contacted the fire department,”
she said.
Firefighters arrived on Friday, Aug 22, 2025, to inspect the area. They checked the waters thoroughly to make sure all visitors were safe. The search confirmed that there was no crocodile in the recreation area. The authorities said De Nekker remains safe for everyone who comes to enjoy water and outdoor activities.
Wauters from the fire department explained that the pond is part of their daily diving training routine, and many other skilled divers also practice there.
“Due to the drought, the water level has dropped, making some objects that are normally underwater visible,”
he said. Wauters clarified that the object was in a part of the pond where swimming is usually prohibited, but some surfboard users ventured closer out of curiosity.
After the video of a fake crocodile spread online, the Nekker management and the fire department quickly searched for the people who filmed it. They located 3 teenagers who admitted to sharing the footage. The girls confirmed that they had seen a stationary plastic object in the water.
“It might make for some spectacular footage and a compelling story, but thanks to the alert response from De Nekker and the fire department, it quickly became clear that there were no unwanted visitors in the pond,”
says Wauters.
“Finally, we want to make it clear that we appreciate alert, concerned, and engaged swimmers in De Nekker. This applies in all circumstances, including reports of plastic crocodiles”
A similar incident occurred in Flanders in 2019, when a submerged log in a recreational pond in the city of Ghent was mistaken for a crocodile. Swimmers and visitors panicked, and the story quickly spread in local media.
In many cases, objects like large debris, floating toys, or buoys have been mis
Comments
13 responses to “"Crocodile" Spot at De Nekker Mechelen Was a Training Object”
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Oh, brilliant! Just what we needed – a plastic crocodile to spice up the local surf scene in Mechelen. Talk about raising the bar for aquatic training; next they’ll be throwing in a rubber duck for good measure! 🦆
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You’d think a plastic croc would be the hottest attraction in Mechelen, but turns out it’s just another ordinary day at De Nekker—no real-life drama, just a splash of plastic. 🤷♂️ Typical, innit?
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Seems like De Nekker’s new mascot is a plastic crocodile—perfect for those adrenaline junkies who can’t tell the difference between a surfboard and a gator! 🤦♂️ Guess the water’s so shallow, even the crocodiles went on a diet! 🐊💦
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Seems like the plastic crocodile at De Nekker really brought out the best in our local wildlife enthusiasts! 😂 Who knew a training tool could cause such a stir? Next time, let’s just stick to the rubber ducks, eh? 🦆
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Seems like the kids of Mechelen have finally found a way to spice up their surfing with a bit of plastic drama! 🐊 Who knew a training croc could cause so much excitement? Let’s hope the next alert is for something more thrilling than a floating piece of junk! 😂
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Seems like the only danger at De Nekker was the potential for boredom! 😂 Who knew plastic crocs could stir such excitement?
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Only in Mechelen would a plastic crocodile get more attention than a Belgian waffle! 😂 You’ve gotta love how a training prop can turn a lazy day at the pond into a blockbuster adventure.
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Looks like the only thing lurking in those waters was a plastic croc playing hide and seek! 😂 Who knew ducking and diving was a training exercise for the local fire brigade? Just your average day at the “dangerous” De Nekker, eh? 🐊💦
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Seems like the crocodile in Mechelen was just a plastic wannabe trying to make a splash in the local news. Who knew that surfboarding could also double as an audition for “Crocodile Dundee”? 😂🦖
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Just what we needed—an aquatic thriller starring a plastic croc! Who knew Mechelen’s got such a vibrant wildlife scene? 🐊😂
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You’d think the folks at De Nekker were auditioning for a wildlife documentary with that plastic crocodile stunt. Bravo, girls, you’ve officially taken “seeing things” to a whole new level! 🐊🤣
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Well, who knew training for divers would include an audition for a croc-themed horror movie? 🐊 Talk about raising the stakes in water sports!
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Incredible, isn’t it? A plastic croc causing more fuss than a Euro cup final—who knew the local surf scene was that dramatic? 🐊😂
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