Pepper Spray Suspected in Brussels Metro Station Evacuation

Approximately 30 passengers were evacuated from the Simonis metro station in Brussels on Saturday evening after suddenly experiencing respiratory difficulties and feeling unwell, prompting a major emergency response. Initial investigations suggest the incident was caused by pepper spray deployed inside the station, though authorities have confirmed it was not used by police.

Emergency Response

The incident occurred on the evening of Saturday, May 23, at the Simonis station in the Koekelberg municipality of Brussels. According to VRT NWS, the station was immediately evacuated and metro services were suspended as passengers began reporting breathing difficulties caused by a pungent, irritating odor.

The Brussels fire department deployed significant resources, including three MUG (Mobile Urgency Group) paramedic teams and five ambulances. The Red Cross was also present at the scene. Federal police established a security perimeter, reinforced by the Brussels-West police zone.

Of the affected passengers, 15 were examined on-site by medical personnel, while two were transported to hospital for further treatment, HLN reported, citing the Brussels fire department.

Suspected Cause

Multiple sources, citing federal police and CCTV analysis, indicate that pepper spray was used in the station, creating an irritating atmosphere that led to the respiratory complaints. According to RTBF, the initial findings of the investigation and analysis of surveillance footage point to pepper spray as the source of the acrid odor that spread through the station.

Crucially, authorities have stated that the pepper spray was not deployed by law enforcement. As La Libre noted, the cause of the incident has not yet been definitively determined, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The station was declared safe and reopened later that evening, roughly one hour and 15 minutes after the evacuation began.

Legal Context

Pepper spray is classified as a prohibited weapon in Belgium. Possession and use by private individuals is generally illegal without specific authorization. The fact that police have confirmed the spray was not used by law enforcement suggests it was deployed by a civilian, which would constitute a criminal offense under Belgian law.

Investigation Underway

The federal police are continuing their investigation, with analysis of CCTV footage expected to play a key role in identifying the individual(s) responsible. Several questions remain unanswered: who deployed the spray, whether it was accidental or deliberate, and what motivated the act.

BX1 reported that the investigation is ongoing to shed light on the precise circumstances of the incident.

Previous Incidents

This is not the first emergency evacuation at Simonis station. In January 2026, the station was evacuated due to smoke development, causing significant disruption to metro traffic. In November 2024, a bomb threat — later determined to be a false alarm — also led to an evacuation.

Analysis: Risks in Confined Spaces

While no fatalities or critical injuries were reported, the incident caused significant disruption to Brussels’ metro network during a busy Saturday evening. The deployment of pepper spray in an enclosed underground space posed a genuine public health risk due to the confined environment and limited ventilation. In such settings, even small amounts of irritants can affect large numbers of people, as the substance disperses through the station’s air circulation system.

The coordinated emergency response — involving federal police, local police, fire department paramedics, and the Red Cross — reflected standard Belgian protocol for mass casualty incidents and likely prevented more serious outcomes. The station was reopened within about 75 minutes, suggesting that ventilation systems were effective in clearing the irritant once the source was identified.

What to Watch For

As the investigation progresses, authorities are expected to release further details about the individual(s) responsible and whether charges will be filed. The case also raises broader questions about security in Brussels’ public transport network and the enforcement of weapons prohibitions in the capital. Given that pepper spray possession by civilians is illegal in Belgium, any identified perpetrator could face criminal prosecution.