Man (22) Critical After Fall from Brabo Statue in Antwerp

A 22-year-old man is in life-threatening condition after falling from the iconic Brabo statue on the Grote Markt in Antwerp. The incident occurred in the early hours of August 1, shortly before half past three in the morning, when the man climbed to the top of the 10.6-meter-high fountain and lost his balance, according to VRT NWS.

The Incident

The man, a resident of Rumst in the Antwerp province, climbed to the very top of the Brabofontein before falling. He first struck the stones at the base of the monument and then landed on the ground. Emergency services, including multiple police units, an ambulance, and the fire brigade, responded to the scene. The victim was transported to the hospital in life-threatening condition.

Police spokesperson Wouter Bruyns confirmed the incident and said authorities believe the man may have been under the influence of alcohol. “For some reason, that 22-year-old climbed onto the statue,” Bruyns told HLN. “We assume he was under the influence. He got quite high and then fell. It was a bad fall. He first hit the stones and then landed on the ground.”

The fall was captured by multiple surveillance cameras on the Grote Markt, and bystander video circulated widely on social media. Bruyns urged the public not to climb monuments. “It goes without saying that you don’t climb on things they’re not meant for,” he said. “There are no safety measures around the Brabo statue. The ground underneath is also hard. We advise everyone against such stunts.”

Reactions from the Grote Markt

The incident has reverberated through the hospitality community on the Grote Markt, where workers say such behavior is rare but dangerous. Alexander (29), a hospitality worker who was on duty that night, described the scene. “It was really shocking,” he said in HLN’s follow-up report. “I saw the emergency services arrive and it was immediately clear that something serious had happened.”

Alexander speculated that alcohol may have played a role. “I suspect alcohol was involved,” he said. “I don’t think you’d just climb up there sober.” Another hospitality worker, Abby (20), said she rarely sees people climbing the monument during her shifts.

A Protected Monument with a Legendary Past

The Brabofontein, created by sculptor Jef Lambeaux and unveiled in 1887, depicts the legendary Roman soldier Brabo throwing the severed hand of the giant Druon Antigoon into the Scheldt River. According to Wikipedia, the fountain has been a protected monument since 1982, valued for its historical, artistic, and folkloric significance. Its rock structure underwent thorough restoration in 2023.

The legend behind the statue is central to Antwerp’s identity: the name “Antwerpen” is said to derive from “hand werpen” (throwing a hand), as Slow Travel Antwerp explains. The statue remains one of the city’s most photographed landmarks.

Previous Incidents

This is not the first time someone has climbed the statue. In 2016, a man survived a nighttime climb on the Brabo statue but fell several meters, suffering serious injuries, as HLN reported at the time. Three years later, a group of naked young people climbed the statue in broad daylight.

City Response and Legal Considerations

The city of Antwerp confirmed that the fall caused no visible damage to the monument. “We deeply regret this incident,” said Evelien Claes, coordinator of national press operations at the City of Antwerp. “Our thoughts go first and foremost to the victim and his loved ones.”

Claes emphasized that the prohibition on climbing monuments serves both heritage protection and public safety. “Monuments like the Brabofontein are not designed or equipped to be climbed,” she said. The city stated it is not considering additional measures specifically for the Brabofontein.

Under Antwerp’s police codex, damaging monuments can result in fines up to 500 euros. Police spokesperson Bruyns noted that a GAS fine (administrative sanction) could theoretically be issued, though it remains unclear whether this will be pursued.

What’s Next

As of the latest reports, the man’s current condition had not been publicly disclosed. The incident has renewed calls for public awareness about the dangers of climbing monuments. As hospitality worker Alexander put it: “You can’t fence off every monument because someone might climb on it. This is an iconic statue and a beautiful place in the city. But people also need to realize this is not a climbing frame.”