Belgium's worst industrial disaster since 1956, killing 24 people and prompting national reform of civil security services.
Key Facts
- Date
- 30 July 2004
- Deaths
- 24 people
- Injured
- 132 people
- Cause
- Natural gas pipeline ruptured by construction vehicle
- Location
- Ghislenghien, municipality of Ath, Belgium
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
A construction vehicle damaged a natural gas pipeline in Ghislenghien, causing a significant gas leak. The accumulated gas ignited, triggering a massive explosion. The incident occurred in an industrial area and the initial response drew large numbers of emergency personnel to the site.
On 30 July 2004, a natural gas pipeline exploded in Ghislenghien, Belgium. The blast and resulting fire killed 24 people, with fatalities concentrated disproportionately among first responders who had arrived at the scene. A further 132 people were injured in the disaster.
The Ghislenghien disaster was identified as the worst industrial accident in Belgium since the 1956 Marcinelle mining disaster. In its aftermath, Belgian authorities undertook a reform of the country's civil security service to improve emergency response procedures and pipeline safety oversight.
Human Cost
Each dot represents approximately 10,000 deaths. Total estimated: 24 (other)