Dutch citizen detained after man drowns in canal at Gentse Feesten

A man has been arrested for possible involvement in throwing a man in a canal in Ghent. The victim was later found dead in the water, during the Gentse Feesten, a city-wide music and theatre festival.

Dutch authorities apprehended a 25-year-old Dutch man from Goes in the province of Zeeland, which borders Flanders to the north. The arrest was announced by the public prosecutor in Amsterdam. Initially, the East Flanders public prosecutor had incorrectly reported that a 19-year-old Dutchman had been apprehended.

The search for another Dutch suspect, also involved in the incident, is ongoing.

The victim, a 53-year-old man from Ghent, ended up in the water early on Sunday morning, after leaving the festival. Witnesses alerted the emergency services but they were unable to save the man.

"The two persons who had pushed the man into the water fled the scene," the Belgian public prosecutor said. The assistance of Dutch authorities was immediately called in. Police arrested the 25-year-old in the Dutch city of Breda and questioned him. Belgium has asked for his extradition. The second Dutch suspect "is being actively traced".

(BRV)

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