Young man in critical condition after illegal swim at Keizerpark in Gent
A young man is in life-threatening condition after nearly drowning while swimming illegally at Keizerpark in Gent on Tuesday evening, June 23. The incident occurred during a severe heatwave in Belgium, with temperatures reaching up to 37°C, as many residents sought relief in the city’s waterways.
According to VRT NWS, the victim was swimming with friends near a jetty at Keizerpark, along the Brusselsesteenweg, when he got into difficulty after moving further from the shore. Bystanders pulled him from the water and alerted emergency services. He was rushed to hospital in critical, life-threatening condition. As of the latest reports on Wednesday morning, his condition remained unknown.
A recurring problem
Keizerpark and the nearby Houtdok have been hotspots for illegal swimming in Gent for years, particularly during heatwaves. Despite clear prohibitions and the risk of GAS fines of up to €350, the locations remain popular because they offer free, accessible cooling in open water. The problem dates back to at least 2020, when police had to deploy a fire brigade boat to remove swimmers from Houtdok.
In August 2024, Gent police announced increased surveillance at both locations after a series of illegal swims during warm weather. At the time, acting mayor Filip Watteeuw warned about the dangers of jumping from bridges, stating: “That can be very tempting, but you don’t know what lies beneath the water surface, so that can be very dangerous.”
Witness accounts
Witnesses told HLN that the victim appeared to be trying to reach the other side of the water when he got into difficulty, began calling for help, and eventually disappeared underwater. Bystanders who pulled him out were provided with psychological support alongside other witnesses.
Police spokesperson Matto Langeraert confirmed the details: “The young man went a bit further from the shore and got into difficulty. He went under and bystanders had to pull him out of the water.” Langeraert reiterated that swimming at Keizerpark is strictly prohibited and violators risk fines.
Heatwave context
The incident unfolded during a severe heatwave gripping Belgium, with code yellow warnings for fire danger in natural areas and temperatures reaching 37°C. Swimming pools and ice rinks extended their hours to accommodate the surge in demand for cooling. Gent’s only legal swimming location, recreatiedomein de Blaarmeersen, can become overcrowded during such conditions, pushing many toward illegal alternatives.
Planned open-water swimming zones
The tragedy carries particular significance as the city of Gent was preparing to launch official open-water swimming zones from August 13 to 30, 2026. Three locations — Schipperskaai, Veermanplein, and Keizerpark itself — were selected for the pilot program, with strict regulations including a minimum age of 10, a flag-based safety system, and time slots for swimmers.
As HLN reported on June 15, Schepen Joris Vandenbroucke (Voor Gent) emphasized the city’s commitment to safety: “We really choose for safety. This is not a swimming pool with lifeguards, this is just open water. Children cannot stand, so they really need to be able to swim.” The zones would operate with stewards rather than lifeguards, and GAS fines of up to €250 for adults and €125 for minors would apply for rule violations.
Analysis and implications
The incident raises urgent questions about enforcement and infrastructure. Despite years of warnings, increased surveillance, and fines, illegal swimming continues at Keizerpark. With only one legal swimming location for a city of Gent’s size, and during extreme heatwaves, the demand for water access far exceeds legal capacity.
The timing of this tragedy — just weeks before the planned launch of official swimming zones — may accelerate safety measures or prompt a reconsideration of the regulations. The city had already taken steps to address the issue, but this incident underscores the dangers of unregulated swimming in urban waterways.
What’s next
As the victim remains in critical condition, the community awaits updates on his recovery. The incident has reignited public debate about swimming safety in Gent, and many will be watching to see whether the city adjusts its plans for the August open-water swimming program. For now, authorities are urging the public to respect swimming bans and use only designated swimming areas.
Psychological support continues to be available for the witnesses and bystanders who rescued the victim, highlighting the traumatic nature of the event.