Ping.............
Posted on 07/30/2004 2:02:14 AM PDT by HAL9000
BRUSSELS, Belgium - A huge explosion at a gas works near Brussels killed 10 people Friday, authorities said.The explosion in the industrial area of Ghislenghien, about 20 miles southeast of Brussels, was felt several miles away, authorities told Belgian media. Residents were advised to stay indoors with windows shut, but no evacuation was ordered and no evidence of toxic fumes.
The cause of the blast wasn't immediately known. The E429 motorway through the area was closed in both directions.
Jean-Jacques Perrin, police inspector in nearby Ath, told the Belgian news agency Belga that at least 10 people died and others were injured.
I am shocked they didn't rule out terrorism within seconds.
Of course it is. The blast was caused by George W. Bush not investing in alternative fuel technology at the behest of his overlords at Halliburton and in the Saudi Royal Family.
Darn conservative media and their coverups.
Afterwards, local residents immediately surrendered to the gas works and vowed to vote the way it wanted them to in the next elections.
I think we should pull all American interest out of Belgian until it is more civilized.
Criminey.
Holy cow ... that is a big explosion
Extra Belgian troops for Afghanistan
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=48&story_id=10092
30 July 2004
BRUSSELS – One-hundred-and-fifty Belgian paratroopers are set to head to Afghanistan to join the UN’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), it was reported on Friday.
The 1st Paratrooper Battalion from Dienst will this weekend fly to Kabul from the military airport at Melsbroek, near Brussels.
A military spokesman said they would form part of a Norwegian-led battle group, along with Hungarian soldiers.
The unit will be sent to the western district of the Afghan capital – a more dangerous posting than that of the existing Belgian force, which is stationed at Kabul airport.
Another 30-strong platoon is being sent to the airport to guard ISAF’s fuel depot.
And a C-130 air-carrier, manned with around 20 soldiers, is to head to Kabul in mid-August.
On July 9 parliament approved the government's decision to send the additional Belgian troops to Afghanistan.
The reinforcements bring the country’s total contingent in the region to 620 soldiers.
That will make Belgium the fifth biggest contributor to the ISAF force, which totals 6,500 soldiers.
[Copyright Expatica 2004]
Yeah, I wonder what caused it?
IF that is a broken gas pipe ... I can see how it could cause an explosion that big
Thanks for the PING...
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