CO Poisoning Likely Killed Man at Belgian Festival
A 37-year-old man who died at the Antillean Festival in Hoogstraten, Belgium, over the weekend most likely succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning, according to initial autopsy results released Tuesday. Investigators found a small barbecue device inside the tent where the man was staying, a discovery that supports the CO poisoning theory.
The Incident
The man was found unconscious in his tent on the festival campsite in the Blauwbossen area of Minderhout on Saturday afternoon, August 8, as VRT NWS initially reported. Emergency services and bystanders attempted to revive him, but all help came too late.
“The man was found unconscious in his tent on the campsite,” said Tinne Rombouts, mayor of Hoogstraten, in the immediate aftermath. “Emergency responders were quickly at the victim, but help unfortunately came too late.”
The victim, who had Ghanaian roots, did not attend the festival alone — acquaintances were present on the campsite. The festival organization communicated condolences via Instagram and other channels, and the remaining performances continued as planned.
Autopsy Findings
A forensic doctor performed the autopsy on Sunday, August 10. The initial results, released on August 11, indicate that carbon monoxide poisoning is the most likely cause of death, as indegazette.be reported. A small barbecue device found inside the victim’s tent supports this theory.
“The investigation shows no indications of drug use,” the Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s Office stated. “That supports that theory,” they added, referring to the barbecue device found in the tent.
A toxicological investigation is ongoing to confirm the CO poisoning diagnosis. An investigating judge was called in to investigate the circumstances, and the victim’s relatives have been informed of the investigation’s status by police victim support officers.
An initial update on August 9 had suggested the death might have been from natural causes, but the autopsy findings pointed toward CO poisoning instead.
The Antillean Festival
The Antilliaanse Feesten is a three-day music festival in Hoogstraten, Belgium, focused on Caribbean, Latin, and Afro music. Now in its 42nd edition, the festival has been running since 1983 and attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually, with over 4,000 campers at this year’s edition, as reported by VRT NWS. The festival, organized by Belgium Oversees VZW, featured Dutch artists including Jonna Fraser, Dylisa, and Quique at this year’s edition.
The campsite is a major part of the festival experience, with areas named after Caribbean countries such as Curaçao, Aruba, and Jamaica. The festival allows campers to use small generators (max 2,500W) and camping gas stoves with gas cartridges or refillable cylinders, but prohibits open fire. The organization explicitly warns campers about the dangers of smoldering charcoal remains.
Festival spokesperson Freya Verschueren expressed the organization’s grief: “It is with pain in our hearts that we must announce that a festival-goer has died on the campsite of the Antillean Festival. This despite the quick response of our emergency services and bystanders. We want to express our condolences, love and support to the family members and friends.”
The Danger of Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death if inhaled. In Belgium, CO poisoning is the deadliest form of poisoning, with approximately 800-900 victims annually and about 20 deaths per year.
Using barbecue devices indoors or in enclosed spaces like tents is extremely dangerous because CO builds up rapidly. A similar incident occurred in January 2026 in Izegem, Belgium, where a man and woman suffered CO poisoning after using a disposable barbecue inside a squat — the man was briefly in life-threatening condition, as VRT NWS reported.
What’s Next
The toxicological investigation will determine the definitive cause of death. Meanwhile, this tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of using combustion devices in enclosed spaces, particularly in camping contexts where tents can quickly fill with lethal carbon monoxide gas.
The festival organization has called on attendees to look after one another. “We call on everyone to take care of each other and offer help if someone is in need,” Verschueren said.
As the investigation continues, the festival community mourns the loss of a fellow attendee, and authorities hope this incident will raise awareness about the invisible dangers of carbon monoxide in camping environments.