De Lijn Halts Christmas Trams in Ghent Due to Fire Safety Concerns Post-May 2024

Ghent (Eurotoday): De Lijn has canceled the Christmas trams this year because of safety issues after a fire in May 2024 that caused injuries. Many people are disappointed, but safety is the priority. Kris Zontrop from Erfgoed Tram-Bus is helping to check and update the old trams before they can run again.

De Lijn, the public transport company in Flanders, has said that the nostalgic Christmas trams will not run this year because of safety issues. These vintage trams are usually used for special occasions, but a fire during a parade in May 2024 raised concerns about their safety. The fire caused an injury and has made people worry about the reliability of these old trams.

Why did De Lijn suspend historic tram tours in Ghent following safety concerns?

De Lijn has decided to stop all tours with the historic trams until further notice after the fire incident. Many people are disappointed because they look forward to these festive rides during the holidays, but the company said that the safety of passengers and staff is their top priority. The historic trams will remain out of service until they can ensure safety, avoiding risks with these cherished but old vehicles.

De Lijn found a problem with the old trams after a report last summer. Kris Zontrop from Erfgoed Tram-Bus said the tram that caught fire in Ghent hadn’t been used for years and wasn’t updated for new lines. Now De Lijn is checking everything again, so they won’t be ready by the end of the year as planned. They want to ensure the historic trams are safe and in good shape. They will decide which trams can run and how often, treating newer and older trams differently, and they are also changing how tram drivers are trained.


Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

Ukraine Urges Venice Biennale to Ban Russia

Ukraine Urges Venice Biennale to Ban Russia

Earlier this week, officials were sent by the Italian government to investigate the return of Russian artists to the Venice event. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated Thursday that she did not know if the jury’s resignation was related to the inspection, but reaffirmed her initial stance: “The government does not share the choice made on the Russian pavilion.”
The Biennale opens to the pu

Read More

Attempted Murder Charge Following Stabbing of Jewish Men in London

Attempted Murder Charge Following Stabbing of Jewish Men in London

Suleiman has been charged with attempted murder related to a separate incident in central London on the same date. He remains in police custody and is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Helen Flanagan, the Met’s counter-terror lead, stated, “Our thoughts remain with the victims involved and specialist officers continue to provide support as they recover.”
“We are committed

Read More

Ice Age hunters’ secrets uncovered through mammoth bones

Ice Age hunters’ secrets uncovered through mammoth bones

Before the peak of the last Ice Age, woolly mammoth herds moved across Central Europe, navigating the cold grasslands and tundra. Archaeologists have found large collections of mammoth bones in the region, raising questions since the 19th century about their origin—whether from hunting, natural deaths, or both—and what they reveal about human interaction with these animals.
A European research te

Read More

Die unterschätzte Rolle Chinas im Iran-Krieg – mit Felix Lee

Die unterschätzte Rolle Chinas im Iran-Krieg – mit Felix Lee

[No visible article content to rewrite.]

Read More

Scientology Communities in Europe Emphasize Civic Duty and EU Values

Scientology Communities in Europe Emphasize Civic Duty and EU Values

KINGNEWSWIRE // PRESS RELEASE // Churches and missions across the continent continue local initiatives in drug prevention, human rights education, moral education and volunteer service, aligning social betterment work with European values of dignity, freedom, equality and respect for human rights.
BRUSSELS, Belgium — 30 April 2026 — Scientologists, churches and missions throughout Europe are sus

Read More

France and Spain Advocate for Reserved Satellite Frequencies for EU Firms

France and Spain Advocate for Reserved Satellite Frequencies for EU Firms

In a late addition to the digital ministers’ meeting agenda in Nicosia, Spain and France called for the EU to prioritize satellite spectrums in its technology efforts, aiming to exclude foreign firms from essential sectors, as per a text obtained by POLITICO.
“It is time to decide whether we want our skies to be stronger or dependent,” stated Spain’s Digital Transformation

Read More

Haiti’s Freefall Requires Urgent Global Action as Millions Face Hunger and Violence

Haiti’s Freefall Requires Urgent Global Action as Millions Face Hunger and Violence

Edem Wosurnu from the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, informed journalists about her recent mission to the Caribbean island nation where violent armed gangs control significant areas.
The worsening crisis is characterized by rising insecurity, increased protection needs, mass displacement, alarming levels of gender-based violence (GBV), and a challenging environment for the UN and partner

Read More

Nigel Farage Describes Germany’s AfD as a ‘Mixed Bag’

Nigel Farage Describes Germany’s AfD as a ‘Mixed Bag’

Centrist German politicians have accused the AfD of leveraging its increasing influence to act as a proxy for Putin within Germany — a charge that AfD leaders vigorously reject. Last November, several AfD members traveled to Sochi, Russia, to participate in a summit focused on cooperation between Europe and the BRICS, which includes Russia alongside Brazil, India, China, and South Africa.
“I

Read More

Ilkka Oyj – Executive Transactions

Ilkka Oyj – Executive Transactions

Ilkka Oyj                               Management Transactions, 30.4.2026, 15:30
Ilkka Oyj – Management Transactions
____________________________________________
Obligated Reporter
Name: Juha Mikkilä
Position: Member of the Supervisory Board
Issuer: Ilkka Oyj
LEI: 743700KMZL7E8PLI5X73
Nature of Notification: INITIAL NOTIFICATION
Reference Number: 154058/5/4
___________________________________

Read More