Drone Drops Raw Eggs on McDonald’s Customers in Bilzen

Bilzen (Eurotoday) – Raw eggs unexpectedly fell on diners eating at an outdoor McDonald’s in Bilzen following a drone attack that has sparked both confusion and investigation. “My clothes are soiled, and we don’t know who it is,” explained local resident Sita Slechten. McDonald’s has confirmed that an investigation is currently underway.

The incident involved a drone dropping raw eggs across several parts of Bilzen, with the McDonald’s location appearing to be specifically targeted. Eyewitnesses reported that eggs also struck parked cars and nearby commercial buildings.

McDonald’s is cooperating with local authorities in the investigation. While no formal police complaints have been lodged, drone experts assert that the operation violates Belgian regulations, which prohibit drones from releasing objects during flight.

“There were also two other incidents—one at a café and another at a gas station, plus even a factory was hit. The police are aware,” said Slechten, who was present when the incident occurred.

“I was there with my mom. We were enjoying our food outside when I noticed a drone. Before I could react, an egg hit me. It splattered on my hands and stained my clothes. We have absolutely no idea who is behind this,” she added.

Another witness, a man whose van was egged, recounted: “I was parked a few kilometers away and saw the drone clearly. It was a large one, and at first glance, I thought it was operated by the police. The egg was hanging from a string before it dropped. I reported it to the police immediately.”

Drone specialist Guy Verhoeven from Droneland in Sint-Truiden suspects foul play. “I’ve never heard of this kind of occurrence before. I believe it’s a prank. Dropping or carrying items with a drone is not allowed under Belgian aviation law.”

Verhoeven points out that drones capable of such deliveries are typically used for emergency supplies: “These drones are intended to drop lifebuoys to people in distress at sea or provide aid to stranded hikers. Not to drop eggs.”

“We don’t want to speculate about any possible motives,” said McDonald’s Belgium spokesperson Florent Baudewyns. “Our main concern is ensuring our customers continue experiencing feel-good moments in our restaurants and beyond.”

Police officials confirmed that no formal complaint had been filed concerning McDonald’s. “We did receive a report regarding a drone dropping something in Munsterbilzen,” noted Police Chief Dirk Claes. “However, by the time our team arrived, no drone or suspects were found. There wasn’t much we could pursue.”

How frequent are drone-related disturbances in Limburg, Belgium?

The Directorate-General for Aviation (DGLV) reports that registered drones in Belgium surpassed 30,000 units by 2023. Several incidents have occurred in the Bilzen region over the years within the Limburg province, particularly involving unauthorized flights near airports or privacy issues.

In 2022 alone, Belgian police recorded 178 drone-related complaints nationwide. Limburg accounted for approximately 12% of these, ranking third among all provinces in terms of reported drone disruptions.

Since 2020, there have been only five documented drone operations involving object delivery within Belgium, all subject to strict regulations from the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA). These rules prohibit unauthorized payload releases, and violators face penalties of up to €4,000 and equipment confiscation.

Bilzen, a city of around 32,000 residents, had never experienced drone-delivered eggs before this incident. Local police had previously intervened in three drone-related cases, primarily involving unauthorized nighttime flights in 2021 and 2022. McDonald’s Belgium, which operates over 80 restaurants across the nation, has never reported any such drone incidents at its locations until now.

Experts emphasize that payload-carrying drones, typically used for life-saving deliveries like medical supplies or rescue gear, must be