Flixbus Stopped on E40 After Two Firearms Found, No Arrests

A Flixbus traveling toward Ostend on the E40 highway was stopped for approximately five hours near Snellegem on Saturday after a driver discovered two firearms wrapped in plastic while cleaning the bus toilet. Despite a major police operation involving federal highway patrol, local police, an explosives detection dog, and the army’s bomb disposal unit DOVO, no passengers were arrested and the bus was released to continue its journey.

Context

The incident unfolded on the morning of May 30, when one of the two bus drivers alerted police after spotting the weapons during a routine cleaning of the vehicle. The bus was pulled over on the emergency lane of the E40, approximately 700 meters before the Jabbeke exit in West Flanders, heading toward the coastal city of Ostend.

According to VRT NWS, federal police spokesperson Ann Berger stated: “The road police were quickly on the scene. The officers had everyone get out on the emergency lane and every passenger was searched.” All luggage was also inspected.

Key Developments

During the search, officers discovered two firearms in the bus toilet, wrapped in plastic. An explosives detection dog was deployed as a precaution, but the search yielded no explosive materials. The army’s bomb disposal unit, DOVO, subsequently examined the weapons.

“During the search, two firearms were indeed found in the toilet. The explosives dog came as a precaution, but that search was negative,” Berger confirmed.

One of the two bus drivers later recounted the discovery in an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws: “My colleague found the weapons while cleaning the bus. He was cleaning the toilet.”

All passengers were evacuated from the bus, searched individually, and moved to another location while the investigation continued. The highway’s right lane was closed for hours, causing significant traffic congestion toward the coast on a busy Saturday. The Bruges fire department distributed water to stranded motorists. The highway was fully reopened by the mid-afternoon, according to the Flemish Traffic Center.

Analysis

The decision not to make any arrests despite the discovery of two firearms is notable. Berger explained that a Flixbus operates like an international train, with passengers able to board and disembark at various stops along the route. This means the individual who brought the weapons on board may have already left the bus before the discovery.

“A FlixBus is like an international train. It’s quite possible that someone got on or off earlier,” Berger said, as reported by L’Avenir. All passengers were identified, allowing police to trace their movements if needed.

The incident raises broader questions about security on long-distance buses in Europe. Unlike air travel, there is no systematic baggage screening for bus passengers. This is not the first security incident involving a Flixbus in Belgium. In January 2024, a Flixbus traveling from France to Brussels was stopped in East Flanders after a passenger reported overhearing three men discussing a potential terrorist attack, as reported by the European Morning Post. In that case, no explosives were found but three men were arrested.

What’s Next

The investigation remains ongoing. Police have noted the identities of all passengers on board and are working to determine who brought the weapons onto the bus and for what purpose. The exact nature and functionality of the firearms — whether real or replicas — has not been publicly detailed. No Flixbus corporate statement has been issued regarding the incident.

Mayor of Jabbeke, Frank Casteleyn, confirmed that local emergency services provided support to stranded passengers during the operation. The incident serves as a reminder of the security challenges facing long-distance bus transport across Europe’s open-border network.