Heist-op-den-Berg (24brussels) – A stabbing occurred on September 14, 2025, at the Zwaneberg cultural centre in Heist-op-den-Berg, leaving one person injured. The 16-year-old suspect, reportedly wearing a hooded sweatshirt, fled the scene, prompting an ongoing police investigation.
The attack took place on Saturday afternoon, September 13, 2025, around 4:45 p.m. in the parking lot of the cultural center located in the Antwerp province of Belgium. Authorities confirmed that a confrontation among a group of friends escalated into violence when a knife was introduced. Emergency responders arrived promptly, transporting the victim to a nearby hospital for treatment.
According to police spokesperson Jana De Roover, “The victim sustained a superficial stab wound and was taken to the hospital in Lier. The bleeding was under control.” Despite the swift response, the perpetrator managed to escape before authorities arrived.
“The search is ongoing.”
Investigation and Community Concerns
Witnesses described the attacker as a boy approximately 16 years old. After the incident, he fled towards Boudewinlaan. Residents have expressed growing safety concerns in the area, with reports of drug-related activities, harassment, and vandalism in recent years.
Local police had previously deployed stewards to monitor public spaces; however, these measures were deemed ineffective by many residents who reported ongoing issues. The incident has drawn widespread attention on social media, amplifying community anxieties regarding public safety.
“Residents have been raising the issue of safety in our municipality for a long time, but without success. When you hear women say they no longer dare wait alone at the station for a bus or train in the evening, it speaks volumes. I don’t even want to discuss the open dealing,”
Concerns regarding safety in Heist-op-den-Berg have increased, particularly around the Zwaneberg cultural centre. Reports of vandalism dating back to 2021 and subsequent fights in 2023 have exacerbated community fears. The local authorities have repeatedly urged residents to report suspicious behaviour in a bid to tackle these issues effectively.