Man dies in incident with forklift truck at Winter Wonders construction site

A young man has died in central Brussels overnight on Saturday after an accident involving a forklift truck that was being used to build this year's Winter Wonders.

Police were called to Quai aux Briques at about 2.50 on Sunday morning. Emergency services were unable to save the man, who died at the scene.

The vehicle, a Manitou telehandler with an extendable arm, was one of several on site to set up the Christmas market. According to Bruzz, it had been used by several young people before the crash.

It is thought the victim and a group of friends may have got one of the machines started during the night, although this has not been confirmed.

The Brussels-Capital/Ixelles police zone confirmed the death on Sunday but has not given details of the circumstances or the man's identity or age.

A security perimeter was put in place, and a coroner and a traffic expert were sent to the scene. The Brussels prosecutor's office is investigating how the accident happened.

The man's family is being supported by the police victim assistance service.

Brussels Major Events, which organises Winter Wonders, said it would wait for the outcome of the investigation and would not say whether the vehicle had been locked.

"We offer our sincere condolences to the victim's family and friends," said spokesperson Fabienne Vankoninxloo.