Zeebrugge – In a shocking incident in Zeebrugge, two Eastern European truck drivers violently attacked a couple, resulting in the death of a 58-year-old man. The local Mayor, Dirk De Fauw, is scheduled to join a white march on Thursday to honor the victim, reports 24brussels.
Mayor De Fauw, representing Bruges, condemned the attack as unacceptable but insisted that it should not lead the public to perceive the area as unsafe. “We do not know what started the argument, but hitting, knocking, and stomping on someone is never acceptable,” he stated.
He emphasized that the Strandwijk district is not characterized by neglect, citing no vacant properties and a rarity of serious incidents. De Fauw mentioned that constant police presence is unwarranted, asserting that this single incident should not alter community perception of the neighborhood.
“Hitting, beating and stamping is never acceptable, but this deadly violence is an isolated incident,” De Fauw added.
What led to the deadly truck attack in Zeebrugge?
The Bruges port authority maintains a comprehensive parking area for truck drivers, equipped with necessary facilities. Authorities have recently proposed a revitalization project for the Transport Zone to the Flemish government, seeking funds to enhance the area, believed to be where the assailants originated.
A new gas station is also under construction within the inner harbor, which will include an expanded truck parking lot to accommodate increased vehicle traffic and improve overall infrastructure. “But this won’t be enough. There needs to be more space for trucks, with restrooms and shops. But even with more accommodations for the drivers, you can’t prevent those people from taking a walk during the weekend,” De Fauw remarked.
The public prosecutor’s office has actively issued a search notice for the two truck drivers and released images to aid in their capture.
The march is a response to the attack in the Strandwijk district, which borders the bustling Zeebrugge port. This area experiences significant truck traffic due to the port’s heavy transport activities. On the evening of Friday, August 22, 2025, around 9:30 PM, the two drivers stopped at a local convenience store to purchase drinks and snacks.
Inside the store, a disagreement erupted between them and a couple from Zeebrugge returning from a beach outing. The couple subsequently walked to a nearby pita shop, where they were attacked by the drivers on the street, leading to the death of the 58-year-old man from his injuries.
“We notice that a lot of drivers stay in their trucks in Zeebrugge during the weekend. The Transport Zone is located near the Strandwijk district. Hundreds of trucks are parked there during the weekend. The drivers—mostly of Eastern European origin—naturally go for a walk and end up in the Strandwijk district,” De Fauw observed.
