Belgium counts cost of violent storms

Belgium is counting the cost of violent storms that swept across the country on Thursday evening, bringing downpours and strong gusts of wind to most regions, along with hail and lightning in some parts.

The storm blew in from France, hitting Hainaut first. A lighting strike is reported to have set fire to houses in Tournai, while two people were slightly injured at Pairi Daiza animal park when a branch fell on their car.

Villages north of Namur experienced mud slides as well as flooding, with the emergency services installing sand bags to protect properties. Further east, the roof blew off a garage near Liège.

In Flanders the storms were worst on the coast, with 3cm hailstones reported in Blankenberge and Knokke. Trees were brought down across the region, with wind also toppling the chimney of an apartment building in Waregem. Several lightning strikes were also reported, although damage was limited.

Train services were disrupted across the country, with the Thalys between Bruxelles and Paris delayed for two hours. Meanwhile a local train was stopped near Kortemark when lighting struck a carriage.

In Brussels the Stéphanie, Rogier and Georges Henri road tunnels were closed for around an hour during the heaviest rainfalls.

Photograph courtesy of Pairi Daiza