Belgian transport worker death prompts strike
- 12 years ago
Buses sit in their depots in Brussels, Belgium - a silent protest over the killing of a public transport worker Saturday.
The inspector, a 56-year-old man who had worked for the service for 29 years, was called to investigate a collision between a bus and a car Saturday.
He was attacked and died of head injuries later in the day.
His colleagues walked out in a strike they said will last until Tuesday, bringing public transportation to a halt in the capital.
A suspect was reportedly arrested and the country's royal prosecutor vowed such violence would be stopped.
(SOUNDBITE)(French) ROYAL PROSECUTOR, BRUNO BULTHE, SAYING:
"We said clearly that we will not tolerate that kind of behaviour. This is unfortunately the first time that we have had an incident of that level, with such terrible consequences. The man died. The family had the chance to see him before he died and I truly sympathise with the family, but I am here to tell you that this free violence is intolerable."
Meanwhile at the STIB public transport headquarters, angry employees accused the company of failing to protect them.
The killing is also prompting reactions from local residents.
(SOUNDBITE)(French) LOCAL RESIDENT, CHRISTIANE VANDENBERGHE, SAYING:
"Those are things that couldn't happen. I think that the level of violence is rising dramatically, and now one beats up or kills someone for nothing. It is scary."
Transport employees are expected to meet with the government Monday and have refused to go back to work before the talks.
Lindsey Parietti, Reuters
The inspector, a 56-year-old man who had worked for the service for 29 years, was called to investigate a collision between a bus and a car Saturday.
He was attacked and died of head injuries later in the day.
His colleagues walked out in a strike they said will last until Tuesday, bringing public transportation to a halt in the capital.
A suspect was reportedly arrested and the country's royal prosecutor vowed such violence would be stopped.
(SOUNDBITE)(French) ROYAL PROSECUTOR, BRUNO BULTHE, SAYING:
"We said clearly that we will not tolerate that kind of behaviour. This is unfortunately the first time that we have had an incident of that level, with such terrible consequences. The man died. The family had the chance to see him before he died and I truly sympathise with the family, but I am here to tell you that this free violence is intolerable."
Meanwhile at the STIB public transport headquarters, angry employees accused the company of failing to protect them.
The killing is also prompting reactions from local residents.
(SOUNDBITE)(French) LOCAL RESIDENT, CHRISTIANE VANDENBERGHE, SAYING:
"Those are things that couldn't happen. I think that the level of violence is rising dramatically, and now one beats up or kills someone for nothing. It is scary."
Transport employees are expected to meet with the government Monday and have refused to go back to work before the talks.
Lindsey Parietti, Reuters