Ghent – Ghent University’s Coupure campus was evacuated on August 26, 2025, after five psychology students fell ill during an exam. A total of 25 students sought hospital treatment, and approximately 70 were affected as exams were disrupted; the cause of these illnesses remains unclear, reports 24brussels.
According to VRT News, the evacuation occurred at the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering after several students exhibited symptoms during a psychology exam on the Coupure campus. Emergency services were promptly contacted as a weak burning odor permeated the building, raising alarm among those present.
The affected students were transported to Jan Palfijn Hospital for medical evaluation. Following the evacuation, the emergency services verified the safety of the building, which took about an hour.
Why were 70 Ghent University students affected during exams?
The incident generated significant concern among fellow students in the vicinity, prompting 20 of them to opt for hospital assessments voluntarily. Four exams were scheduled for that morning, including three linked to the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering and one doctoral defense. As a result of the incident, three of these exams resumed shortly after the evacuation, while the psychology exam was halted due to the health issues experienced by several students.
Following the evacuation, the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering relocated its exams to other rooms on the Coupure site. The doctoral defense was also moved to ensure continuity and minimize disruption. University officials announced that any students uncomfortable with retaking their exams in light of the incident would be offered an opportunity to do so at a later date.
The Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences was notably affected, as around 70 students were taking their psychology exam when issues arose. This exam was canceled and will be rescheduled with input from the students. Presently, the root cause of the incident has yet to be identified.
This evacuation echoes a similar incident at Ghent University in 2019, when a pervasive, unpleasant odor led to an evacuation at the Blandijn campus. At that time, students described the smell as akin to moldy water or sweaty gym clothes; subsequently, classes were canceled as a precaution. Investigations revealed no dangerous substances on-site, although it was suggested that butyric acid, potentially from a stink bomb, could have been responsible. The exact source, however, was never confirmed.
