Public transport in Brussels suspended following fatal attack

Public transport in the Belgian capital has been suspended until after the Easter holidays following a tragic attack on a member of staff.

A controller for the Brussels bus company MIVB was attending the scene of an accident early on Saturday morning between a bus and a car in the port of Brussels when he was assaulted.

The 56-year old man later died in hospital from his injuries.

Bruno Bulthé, the royal prosecutor of Brussels denounced the attack: “We have stated clearly that we will not tolerate this kind of behaviour. It is the first time that we have had an incident of such gravity with such consequences.

“The man is dead. The family did he see him before he died and my sympathies go out to them. But I’m here to say that this kind of violence is intolerable.”

Police believe a friend of the car driver which hit the bus allegedly carried out the attack. He fled the scene but was later arrested.

The driver of the car was injured in the accident and was taken to hospital.

Bus drivers have demanded increased security measures before returning to the work. It is thought buses, trams and the Brussels metro could be out action until at least Tuesday.

Copyright © 2013 euronews