Drones sighted over Doel nuclear plant 

Three drones were spotted over the Doel nuclear power plant on Sunday evening, operator Engie has confirmed. The sightings, reported shortly before 10 p.m., had no impact on the plant’s operations, according to spokesperson Hellen Smeets. 

“The relevant authorities are following up on the matter,” she said. Belgium’s National Crisis Centre also confirmed the incident and said it is being monitored.

Energy expert Luc Pauwels emphasised that there is no nuclear danger. “Doel is a no-fly zone, so the ban was clearly breached,” he told VRT NWS. “But the reactors are designed to withstand aircraft impacts, from small planes to large passenger jets, meaning drones pose no structural threat.”

The incident follows a string of drone sightings that disrupted flights at Liège and Brussels airports throughout the week. Air traffic at Liège was halted again on Sunday evening, adding to nearly daily interruptions caused by unauthorised drone activity across Belgium, including over several military sites.

Meanwhile, reports in Het Nieuwsblad and De Standaard revealed that Belgium’s federal police have a dedicated Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) team, equipped to detect and neutralise hostile drones. But the unit was not deployed during Tuesday’s closure of Brussels Airport. 

The 30-officer team has since installed detection antennas near major airports, while the Belgian army has been discreetly brought in to assist police and international partners in tackling the growing problem.

^{The Doel Nuclear Power Station in Beveren ​© BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM}