Belgian police officer killed during pursuit on French road
A Belgian police officer and the driver of a vehicle being pursued have died after being hit by a car in France, close to the Belgian border, AFP reports.
The vehicle first ignored an order to stop on the Brussels-Luxembourg motorway. Two Belgian police vehicles pursued the car, which crossed the border into France.
According to the Thionville public prosecutor, the two occupants threw drugs out of the car during the pursuit on Belgian territory. These were recovered by the Belgian police and handed over to French investigators.
When the pursued vehicle stopped abruptly, the first police car was able to avoid it. The second police car drove into it, but there were no injuries and no major damage. The two occupants got out of their car. The driver crossed the road while the occupant remained by the side of the road.
"Respect to all officers who work every day for our safety, in often dangerous circumstances"
A police officer pursued the driver, before both were hit by a third vehicle. Both died at the scene. The other occupant of the car was arrested at the scene, the prosecutor said. The driver of the third vehicle was briefly detained but has since been released. The Belgian officers were also questioned.
The incident took place in France near Angevillers, about 40km from the Belgian border. Belgian and French authorities regularly work together on both sides of the border.
The police of Metz and Thionville have taken over the investigation. They will investigate the circumstances of the Belgian pursuit on French roads, as well as the exact circumstances of the accident.
"We regret to confirm that a colleague from the traffic police died during an operation on the D14 just beyond the French border," the Belgian federal police told AFP.
"Out of respect for his family, friends and close colleagues, we will not be giving any further details at this time. Our thoughts are with them."
Interior minister Bernard Quintin responded to the death on X. "My thoughts go out to his family, colleagues and close ones," he said. "Respect to all officers who work every day for our safety, in often dangerous circumstances."
The scene of the fatal crash in Angevillers, 40km from the Belgian border © PHOTO MAXPP
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