Bruges-Ostend Trains Suspended After Cable Theft Attempt

Train services between Bruges (Brugge) and Ostend (Oostende) have been fully suspended in both directions following an attempted cable theft on the night of 13–14 July 2026. Rail infrastructure manager Infrabel has deployed repair crews to the scene, while the national railway operator NMBS/SNCB has arranged replacement bus services for affected passengers traveling to the Belgian coast.

Incident Details

According to VRT NWS, Infrabel received a technical fault notification during the night on the railway line between Jabbeke and Ostend. Police dispatched to the scene discovered an attempted cable theft in progress. The perpetrators had cut through numerous cables before fleeing empty-handed.

Frédéric Petit, spokesperson for Infrabel, confirmed the extent of the damage: “Ultimately, nothing was stolen — the thieves had already left — but quite a lot of cables were cut through.” He added that the damage is “considerable,” with cables severed at multiple points along the track.

Impact on Passengers

The disruption has affected thousands of passengers on one of Belgium’s most important transport corridors, particularly during the peak summer holiday season when the coastal route sees heavy traffic from tourists and day-trippers. HLN reported that approximately 100 passengers who had boarded trains at Ostend station around 6:00 a.m. were turned back and directed to replacement buses.

Several train lines have been affected:

• IC-01 (Eupen–Ostend): Not running between Bruges and Ostend
• IC-02 (Antwerp-Central–Ostend): Rerouted to/from Blankenberge
• IC-23 (Ostend–Denderleeuw–Brussels Airport): Not running between Bruges and Ostend
• Various coastal express trains: Suspended or rerouted to Blankenberge

NMBS/SNCB has deployed replacement buses between Bruges and Ostend. Passengers can also use the Kusttram (coastal tram) between Ostend and Blankenberge with their train tickets.

Passengers interviewed by VRT NWS expressed frustration. One woman waiting for a replacement bus remarked: “They’re handing out water, that means it will take a long time.” Another stranded traveler noted communication challenges, saying: “They gave explanations in Dutch and French. But there are also many tourists here who speak English or German and they don’t know what’s happening.”

Repairs and Timeline

Infrabel dispatched technical teams immediately after the fault was detected. According to Petit, the repair works are expected to last “at least until after noon,” with the aim of restoring service during the course of the afternoon. The company described the damage as significant, with cables cut at multiple locations, prolonging the repair process.

Cable Theft: A Persistent Problem

While cable theft on the Belgian rail network has declined significantly since the launch of the National Action Plan against Cable Theft in 2013 — dropping from 1,360 cases in 2012 to just 104 in 2017 — Infrabel reports a resurgence in recent years. The 2013 plan included measures such as replacing copper cables with less valuable aluminum cables, burying cables deeper, pouring concrete over cables in high-risk zones, and banning cash payments in the copper trade.

According to Petit, approximately three-quarters of cable thefts occur in Wallonia. In West Flanders, such incidents are relatively rare, but when they do occur, they tend to have a significant impact due to the critical nature of the coastal rail line. On average, cable thefts cause approximately 45 minutes of delay per day across the Belgian network.

This incident follows a similar disruption on the same Bruges–Ostend line in October 2025, and a cable theft in Brussels in March 2026 that also disrupted train services.

Broader Implications

The attempted theft highlights the vulnerability of railway infrastructure to relatively unsophisticated criminal acts that can cause disproportionate disruption. Despite the thieves fleeing without any loot, the damage to critical infrastructure has paralyzed a major transport artery during the summer holiday period.

Infrabel continues to explore innovative countermeasures, including membership in the Belgian Civil Drone Council, with the goal of conducting aerial surveillance operations in cooperation with police services. The company also encourages citizens to report suspicious activity near railway tracks.

What’s Next

Repair crews remain on site working to restore full service on the Bruges–Ostend line. Passengers are advised to check NMBS/SNCB travel information for updates and to allow extra travel time. No information has been released regarding the identification or arrest of the perpetrators.

The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenge of infrastructure crime in Belgium and the need for continued investment in both physical security measures and law enforcement cooperation to protect critical transport networks.