Bystanders Overpower Axe-Wielding Man in Antwerp Street

A man brandishing a hand axe in a busy Antwerp shopping street was wrestled to the ground and subdued by bystanders before police could arrive, authorities have confirmed. The incident, which occurred Thursday afternoon in the Abdijstraat, caused panic among shoppers but resulted in no serious injuries, thanks to the swift and courageous intervention of citizens.

The Incident

Police received a report on Thursday afternoon that a man was staggering through the Abdijstraat — a shopping street near Antwerp’s central station and zoo — carrying a hand axe in one hand and a can in the other. According to the public prosecutor’s office, the man appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, walking unsteadily and swinging the axe toward passing cars.

Before law enforcement could reach the scene, bystanders had already intervened. “Before our teams arrived, bystanders had already wrestled the man to the ground,” Kim Bastiaens, spokesperson for the Antwerp police, told Het Laatste Nieuws. Police arrived shortly after and arrested the suspect without further incident.

Investigation Underway

The man has not yet been interrogated but has undergone a medical examination, according to the prosecutor’s office. His motives remain unclear, and investigators are working to determine whether the incident was a case of public intoxication, a mental health episode, or something more deliberate.

Videos of the incident circulated on TikTok shortly after it occurred but were later removed from the platform. The footage, which was widely shared on social media, showed the man walking unsteadily through the shopping street, the axe visible in his hand as he moved past storefronts and pedestrians.

A Pattern of Citizen Vigilance

This is not the first time Antwerp residents have faced an armed individual in a public space. In July 2017, a man was stopped by military personnel on the Meir, Antwerp’s main shopping street, while carrying an axe — an incident he later claimed was for a lumberjack-themed photoshoot. That case sparked political debate about security and the appropriate level of response to such situations.

More recently, in January 2026, police in nearby Kapellen, just north of Antwerp, shot and killed a 32-year-old man who threatened his ex-partner with an axe. The man had a contact ban with his ex-partner and children at the time of the incident. In October 2025, a resident in Antwerp chased away three burglars with an axe after catching them in the act; the three suspects were later arrested by police.

While the quick intervention by bystanders in Thursday’s incident highlights community vigilance, police generally advise against directly confronting armed individuals. Antwerp maintains a visible police presence and has conducted large-scale operations such as “Silvius” — coordinated control actions targeting public order, traffic safety, and crime in the city.

Legal Implications

Under Belgian law, carrying a weapon in public without legitimate reason constitutes a weapons offense. The suspect’s apparent intoxication may compound potential charges, which could include disturbing public order, illegal weapons possession, and making threats. The Abdijstraat is a relatively busy commercial area, and the presence of an armed individual in such a location elevates the seriousness of the offense.

What’s Next

The suspect remains in custody pending interrogation. Authorities are expected to release further details once questioning is complete and a clearer picture of his intentions emerges. The case serves as a reminder of both the risks and the potential for ordinary citizens to make a difference in moments of crisis, even as officials caution that confronting armed individuals should generally be left to trained professionals.

This article was compiled from reports by VRT NWS and Het Laatste Nieuws.