Strépy Tragedy Trial: Prosecutors Demand Murder Verdict

Belgian prosecutors have delivered powerful closing arguments in one of the country’s most high-profile criminal trials, calling for Paolo Falzone to be convicted of murder for driving his BMW into a carnival procession at 174 km/h — more than three times the legal speed limit — killing seven people and injuring 38 others. The trial, being heard at the cour d’assises du Hainaut in Mons, has gripped the nation since it opened on May 4, 2026.

The Tragedy

On the morning of March 20, 2022, approximately 150–200 costumed participants known as “Gilles” were gathering for the traditional carnival “ramassage” in Strépy-Bracquegnies, a small town in the province of Hainaut, Wallonia. According to RTBF, Paolo Falzone, then 32, was driving a black BMW Series 5 with passenger Antonino Falzone (no relation) when he plowed into the procession at 174 km/h in a 50 km/h zone. The driver was filming himself on his phone to create a social media “story” moments before impact.

The vehicle continued for over a kilometer before stopping, with two victims trapped on the car — one on the hood, one embedded in the windshield. Neither occupant called for help or rendered aid for approximately five minutes. Falzone had a blood alcohol level of 0.67‰ (above the 0.5‰ legal limit).

The Prosecution’s Case

Lead civil party lawyer Me Jean-Philippe Mayence, representing over 140 victims and their families, delivered an impassioned multi-hour closing argument on May 29. He placed seven candles before him — one for each life lost — and systematically dismantled the defense’s anticipated argument that this was a traffic accident.

“He who, knowingly, implements means that would normally cause death, has no other intention than to kill,” Mayence told the jury, citing settled Court of Cassation jurisprudence. He argued that Falzone’s vehicle was used as a weapon: “This weapon is indeed this car, used with all its power to kill. Not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, but seven people!”

Mayence highlighted that Falzone had disabled the ABS, put the car in sport mode, was filming on his phone, made high-beam flashes to warn others, and accelerated seconds before impact. “When we talk about you, about your car, you have tears. For the rest — nothing!” Mayence said, addressing the accused directly. “Your disdain and your lies are spits in their faces!”

The Case for Premeditation

For victim Frédéric D’Andrea — a “gille” in traditional costume — the prosecution additionally seeks a finding of premeditation (assassinat). Mayence argued that Falzone saw D’Andrea on his hood, deliberately braked to make him fall, then ran him over. In a dramatic courtroom moment, Mayence produced carnival bells (an “apertintaille”) and rang them in the silent courtroom, asking Falzone: “You heard nothing, Mr. Falzone?”

A Second Prosecutor’s Appeal

On June 1, Me David Gelay, representing the Imperiale family who lost their father, aunt, and uncle, delivered his own closing argument. As reported by RTL Info, Gelay focused on Falzone’s lack of humanity after the crash.

“Humanity is measured when a man is dying in your car. And you failed!” Gelay declared, referring to Salvatore Imperiale, who lay dying on the hood. “He was groaning, Mr. Falzone. You owed at least that to my clients.”

Gelay also dismissed Falzone’s attempts to craft a sympathetic image, including his recently revealed fatherhood: “This child, Mr. Falzone, is not a way to diminish the facts — he is an additional victim. We have all understood, Mr. Falzone. We are not fooled.”

What’s at Stake

The prosecution is asking the jury to convict Falzone of 7 counts of murder (meurtre) and 81 counts of attempted murder (tentatives de meurtre), plus one count of murder with premeditation. Passenger Antonino Falzone faces charges of non-assistance to persons in danger.

The trial, expected to last approximately two months, is now in its closing arguments phase. The defense is yet to present its case. The verdict will be decided by a jury of citizens at the cour d’assises du Hainaut, and the outcome will determine whether Falzone faces life imprisonment or a lesser sentence for what the defense maintains was a tragic accident.

Broader Significance

The Strépy-Bracquegnies tragedy has become one of Belgium’s most significant criminal proceedings, both for the scale of the loss and the legal questions it raises about the line between reckless driving and intentional homicide. The case has drawn comparisons to other major 21st-century Belgian disasters, and its outcome may set an important precedent for how Belgian courts treat cases of extreme vehicular recklessness.