Train Traffic Halted Between Ath and Enghien After Theft

Train traffic was completely interrupted between Ath and Enghien in Belgium’s Hainaut province on Thursday morning following the theft of a signaling cable, according to RTBF. The disruption affected line 94, a key commuter route connecting Tournai to Brussels, and caused significant delays for passengers traveling during the morning rush hour.

What Happened

Infrabel, Belgium’s railway infrastructure manager, confirmed that a cable used for signaling was stolen between Enghien and Silly, disrupting the operation of signaling equipment and level crossings along the affected stretch. As La Libre reported, an Infrabel spokesperson stated that technicians were dispatched to the scene and that repairs were expected to take several hours.

“A cable used for signaling was stolen between Enghien and Silly, which disrupts the operation of signaling equipment and level crossings,” the spokesperson explained. “Technicians are on site and repairs should take several hours.”

Passenger Impact and Mitigation

The SNCB, Belgium’s national railway company, implemented alternative arrangements for affected passengers. According to L’Avenir, most trains were diverted via Braine-le-Comte, while replacement buses were organized between Ath and Enghien. Passengers were advised to use their train tickets on the replacement bus services.

The end of disruptions was estimated at the earliest for late afternoon, meaning the disruption affected the entire morning commute for travelers heading to Brussels from western Hainaut. The SNCB urged passengers to listen to announcements, check display screens, or plan their journeys through the SNCB app or website.

A Recurring Problem

This incident is not an isolated event. Cable theft has become a persistent challenge for Belgium’s railway network, with significant operational and financial consequences. As L’Avenir reported, citing Infrabel statistics, the infrastructure manager recorded 303 cable thefts or attempted thefts in 2025, representing an 18% increase from the 257 incidents reported the previous year.

The problem is particularly acute in Wallonia, which accounted for 78% of all cable thefts in 2025. The province of Hainaut—where Thursday’s incident occurred—was the most affected, with 99 recorded incidents, followed by Liège with 71 and Luxembourg with 32.

Infrabel has noted that most thefts are carried out by organized crime groups, sometimes with international connections. The financial impact is estimated at between 1.5 and 2 million euros annually at the expense of the community.

Operational Consequences

The impact extends beyond financial losses. In 2025, cable thefts caused 10,169 minutes of cumulative delays for passenger trains and 5,884 minutes of delays for freight trains. Additionally, 630 trains had to be cancelled as a direct result of theft or attempted theft.

Infrabel has been working to mitigate the problem by replacing copper cables with aluminum where technically possible, making theft less profitable. The infrastructure manager has also implemented various technological measures, though details remain confidential to preserve their effectiveness.

What to Watch For

Similar incidents have occurred on this exact stretch of line before. In March 2026, train traffic between Ath and Enghien was also interrupted for an entire day due to a significant cable theft that disrupted signaling near Enghien station.

As technicians work to restore normal service on line 94, passengers are advised to check real-time travel information before departing. The broader issue of cable theft on Belgium’s railway network remains an ongoing concern for Infrabel, which continues to invest in prevention and mitigation measures to protect the country’s rail infrastructure.