Genk – On Friday, August 29, 2025, at 3:30 PM, a 29-year-old Enercom worker from Mol was trapped at a height of 100 meters on a wind turbine in Genk. Rescued by the East Limburg fire department, he is now hospitalized as an investigation into the incident continues, reports 24brussels.
According to HBVL News, the incident occurred while the worker was conducting repairs alongside a colleague at the Genk-Zuid industrial estate. His arm became ensnared in the moving gears of the turbine engine. The cause of the accident has yet to be determined, but the colleague promptly called for an ambulance.
Rescue operation details
Emergency services responded swiftly after the alarm was raised at the wind turbine located along Henry Fordlaan in Genk. Teams, including ambulances and specialized rescue vehicles, quickly mobilized to assist the stranded worker. The East Limburg fire department deployed four specialized vehicles, with a trained crew positioned at the top of the turbine to provide aid.
Authorities indicated that amputation could be considered a last-resort option to free the worker, according to Mark Mons, spokesperson for the labor auditor’s office. The Carma police force was also on the scene to ensure safety and maintain control during the rescue.
The labor inspectorate is expected to submit a report regarding the incident shortly. Once the worker has received initial medical care, he will be transported by helicopter to the hospital for further treatment.
This incident is reminiscent of a previous accident in 2018 at the Rentel offshore wind farm in the Belgian North Sea, where a turbine engineer suffered a traumatic amputation after reaching into a rotating brake disc while the turbine was still powered. The subsequent court case held the employer predominantly responsible, leading to compensation for the injured worker.
