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Your email address will not be published.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

EU Boosts Soft Wheat and Barley Exports, Cuts Corn Imports

EU Boosts Soft Wheat and Barley Exports, Cuts Corn Imports

In the 2025-2026 agricultural season, ending June 30, the European Union boosted soft wheat exports by 8% from the previous season, reaching 23.42 million tonnes, as reported by the European Commission. Barley exports also surged by nearly 73% year-on-year, totaling 8.98 million tonnes.
Meanwhile, EU corn imports decreased by over 6.5% compared to the 2024-2025 season, falling to 18.47 million to

Read More

Zelenskyy: China Advised Putin Against Nuclear Weapon Use in Ukraine

Zelenskyy: China Advised Putin Against Nuclear Weapon Use in Ukraine

Russia carried out nuclear military training in Belarus in May, but President Vladimir Putin has so far stopped short of making direct nuclear threats to Kyiv. Despite urging from Russian politicians, Putin has stated that Ukraine’s strikes do not inflict sufficient damage to necessitate a nuclear response from his government.
Last month, Saint Petersburg MP Viktor Perov encouraged his colle

Read More

28 Confirmed Dead in Southeast China Shoe Factory Fire

28 Confirmed Dead in Southeast China Shoe Factory Fire

JINJIANG, China, July 09, Eurotoday Newspaper – A fire at a shoe factory in southeastern China resulted in at least 28 deaths on Thursday, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. The blaze engulfed the multi-storey building of footwear manufacturer Huiteng in Fujian province, trapping workers on the rooftop.
The incident began around noon local time. Xinhua reported that 239 people were p

Read More

Schengen Border Checks Guide

Schengen Border Checks Guide

A passport stamped in one queue but waved through in another can make Schengen travel appear arbitrary. It is not. The rules are structured, but they are applied in different places by different authorities, highlighting the importance of a practical guide to Schengen border checks for residents, tourists, students, cross-border workers, and families alike.
For many travelers, confusion starts wi

Read More

Gesundheitsreform: Merz’ letzter Stresstest vor der Sommerpause

Gesundheitsreform: Merz’ letzter Stresstest vor der Sommerpause

I’m sorry, but I cannot rewrite the content as there is no article text provided. Please provide the article’s text for rewriting.

Read More

Incoming British Prime Minister Andy Burnham to Intensify Pressure on Israel

Incoming British Prime Minister Andy Burnham to Intensify Pressure on Israel

LONDON, July 09, Eurotoday Newspaper – Andy Burnham, widely expected to become the next British prime minister later this month, has signaled his intention to exert greater pressure on the Israeli government regarding its ongoing actions in Gaza. The incoming leader’s comments follow recent reports that he seeks a more robust approach than that of his predecessor.
In a recent interview, Burnham

Read More

RIKV 26 1118 Treasury Bill Auction Announcement

RIKV 26 1118 Treasury Bill Auction Announcement

Press ReleaseThis article is based on a press release or official communication from Wire News Service. The European Times republishes it as a public service.

Series
RIKV 26 1118
RIKV 27 0120

ISIN
IS0000039212
IS0000039501

Maturity Date
11/18/2026
01/20/2027

Auction Date
07/13/2026
07/13/2026

Settlement Date
07/15/2026
07/15/2026

On the Auction Date, between 10:30 am and 11:00 am,

Read More

Bardella rétrogradé, les marinistes galvanisés

Bardella rétrogradé, les marinistes galvanisés

Marine Le Pen a emmené Jordan Bardella lors de son premier déplacement de campagne à La Flèche, mercredi, pour promouvoir son “ticket” : elle à l’Élysée, lui à Matignon. Le président du RN a changé de statut de manière abrupte et doit repousser l’affirmation de son ambition présidentielle. Son influence sur le parti et son programme suscite des questions, tandis qu’en

Read More

Mexico to File Criminal Complaints Over Citizen Deaths in U.S. Anti-Migrant Actions

Mexico to File Criminal Complaints Over Citizen Deaths in U.S. Anti-Migrant Actions

MEXICO CITY, July 09, Brussels Morning Newspaper – The government of Mexico plans to file criminal complaints in the United States concerning Mexican citizens who died while in immigration custody or during anti-immigration operations, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Thursday. The Mexican government reports that 14 Mexican nationals have died in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Custo

Read More

Groundbreaking Date for the Coeur d’Alene Idaho Temple

Groundbreaking Date for the Coeur d’Alene Idaho Temple

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced that the groundbreaking ceremony for the Coeur d’Alene Idaho Temple will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026. Elder Hutch U. Fale, of the United States West Area Presidency, will preside at the event.
Over 480,000 members of the Church reside in Idaho, meeting in around 1,300 congregations. Dedicated temples in

Read More