Coastal Tram Violence: Five De Lijn Staff Hospitalized
A routine ticket inspection on the coastal tram in De Haan, West Flanders, escalated into a violent confrontation on Sunday, May 24, leaving five De Lijn employees — four ticket inspectors and the tram driver — hospitalized. Local police who responded to the scene also sustained minor injuries. The public prosecutor’s office is investigating, with decisions on charges expected on Tuesday.
Context
The incident occurred near the Vosseslag stop in De Haan, a popular Belgian coastal town, when inspectors found a group of five passengers traveling without valid tickets. According to Het Laatste Nieuws, what began as a standard fare check quickly turned chaotic after one passenger was detained.
“A group of five people turned out not to have a valid ticket. Someone was immediately detained, upon which tumult arose and aggression was shown,” said Ine Pieters, spokesperson for De Lijn. “Four inspectors and the tram driver were taken to the hospital. We enormously regret every form of aggression against our people. They are just doing their job.”
Police from the Bredene/De Haan zone responded to the scene and also sustained scrapes and abrasions. Those involved have been interrogated, and the public prosecutor’s office is expected to announce its decision on further legal action on Tuesday, May 26.
Key Developments
This incident is the latest in a troubling pattern of aggression against public transport workers in Belgium. In 2024, the country’s four public transport companies — NMBS, De Lijn, MIVB, and LETEC — recorded 5,908 cases of physical and verbal aggression, an average of 16 per day and a 5.5% increase from 2023. Of those, 780 employees required time off work, accounting for 23,686 days of work incapacity.
For De Lijn specifically, aggression led to 3,161 days of work incapacity in 2024, with at least 2,292 recorded incidents. Yet only 10 out of 295 filed complaints against aggressors reached court, highlighting a significant enforcement gap.
The coastal tram itself has been the site of multiple security incidents. The Kusttram — the longest tram line in the world at 68 km — was shot at multiple times in De Haan, leading to tightened controls. In April 2026, a De Lijn bus driver in nearby Bredene received a headbutt from a passenger, prompting spontaneous strike action by colleagues along the coast. A similar strike broke out in Ghent in April 2024 after aggression against tram drivers and inspectors.
Analysis & Implications
The De Haan incident underscores a systemic crisis in Belgian public transport safety. With five workers hospitalized from a single confrontation — an exceptionally severe outcome — the event is likely to intensify pressure on policymakers.
Current Flemish Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder (N-VA) has stated that the government continues to invest in safety measures, including bodycams for inspectors, as well as prevention, training, and cooperation with police and justice authorities. A 10-point “Stop Agressie” action plan, first proposed in 2023, included bodycam pilot projects and the possibility of banning aggressive passengers from public transport. Vlaams Belang has further advocated for pepper spray as a defensive tool for De Lijn personnel.
Labor unions may respond with demands for stronger protective measures, and the risk of spontaneous strike action — as seen in Ghent and Ostend — could disrupt services along the coast, particularly as the summer tourist season approaches. The Kusttram is a vital artery for coastal tourism, carrying millions of passengers annually, and any erosion of public confidence in its safety could have economic repercussions.
What’s Next
The public prosecutor’s office is expected to announce its decision on charges on Tuesday, May 26. The outcome will be closely watched by transport unions, De Lijn management, and policymakers alike. Questions remain about the specific injuries sustained by the employees, whether the perpetrators were known to authorities, and whether this incident will accelerate the rollout of bodycams and other protective measures for public transport workers across Belgium.