Increase in migrant interceptions in West Flanders over the past year
The number of migrants intercepted in West Flanders rose significantly in 2024, reversing the downward trend of previous years. The governor of the region calls for more federal support and international cooperation.
According to a report published on Friday by the governor of West Flanders, Carl Decaluwé, a total of 632 migrants were apprehended, compared to fewer than 400 in 2023. They were passing through Belgium en route to another country.
The report highlights a sharp increase in attempts by migrants to stow away in trucks. More than 10 per cent of those intercepted last year were found in such vehicles, with some cases requiring emergency calls from inside to be rescued.
It is a practice that carries significant risks. In 2019, for example, 39 Vietnamese migrants tragically lost their lives in a refrigerated container due to a lack of oxygen.
Targeted inspections
Governor Decaluwé attributed the rise to several factors. “There are multiple reasons, including more targeted inspections, weather conditions, and policy changes in the United Kingdom”, he said. “Shifts in migration routes to Europe may also be influencing the flow of migrants to West Flanders.”
West Flanders accounted for 70 per cent of all transmigrants intercepted in Belgium last year. That is a significant increase from the previous years, when the figure hovered around 50 per cent. The majority of migrants apprehended in 2024 were from Eritrea, Sudan, and Iraq.
Approximately 60 per cent were found in the coastal region, with around 40 per cent intercepted in the port area of Zeebrugge.
Measures
Efforts to combat clandestine migration have intensified and enhanced surveillance measures are in place. The recently renovated TotalEnergies motorway parking area along the E40 in Jabbeke is now equipped with advanced scanners capable of detecting digital devices in real time. These scanners identify digital signals of electronic devices, which helps authorities pinpoint potential stowaways hidden in trucks.
West-Flanders remains one of the key transit points for migrants attempting to reach the UK. However, local authorities continue to face challenges due to a lack of federal support and international cooperation, the governor said.
“Local police forces are dealing with what is essentially a national issue with limited resources at their disposal”, Decaluwé said. “There is a need for more personnel and innovative techniques to address the problem effectively.”
He also stressed that the cooperation between Belgium, the United Kingdom and France remains insufficient, with ongoing difficulties in sharing crucial information to tackle smuggling networks efficiently.
#FlandersNewsService | A customs officer at work in the port of Zeebrugge © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE