Diksmuide – The Diksmuide fire department, led by Captain Filip Vandenberghe, has mounted a second response to oil pollution on the Yser River near the marina, focusing on containing the spill and investigating its source, reports 24brussels.
On October 6, 2025, the fire department acted for the second consecutive day to address the pollution near the Hogebrug bridge, as reported by VRT News. Fire Captain Vandenberghe confirmed that the same oily substance had re-emerged in the same area, indicating a recurring issue.
To combat the incident, firefighters constructed a dam in the marina, which helped them contain the pollution and trace the flow’s direction to identify its origin. “This helped us contain the pollution and track the direction of the flow to find out where it came from,” Captain Vandenberghe stated.
What caused the repeated oil pollution on the Yser River in Diksmuide?
Captain Vandenberghe confirmed that the oil pollution is consistent with that reported on October 5, 2025. “It’s not engine oil, but possibly heating oil, diesel, or hydraulic oil,” he noted. Maintenance work conducted on the water the previous week may be related to the incident.
The fire department utilized a liquid degreaser to help break down and remove the oily residue. Both the environmental agency and local police have been notified and are conducting investigations to determine the source of the pollution, with commitments to prevent any further harm to the region’s natural environment.
On October 6, a new trace of oil appeared, necessitating another cleanup effort. Firefighters treated the surface again and collected samples for analysis. Experts suspect the pollution may stem from a small hidden leak or a vessel docked in the marina, and local authorities are closely monitoring the pollution to mitigate any damage to the river’s ecosystem.
On the morning of October 5, residents reported an oily film floating on the river, prompting an urgent response from emergency services. Firefighters arrived swiftly to deploy absorbent materials and specialized cleaners, effectively managing the initial incident.
They collaborated with local authorities and environmental specialists to inspect nearby drain points and vessels for leaks. The exact source of the pooling was determined after thorough examinations.
In recent years, similar oil pollution incidents have occurred in various Belgian towns. In February 2025, the Dender canal in Ath, Wallonia, was temporarily closed as firefighters worked to contain an oil spill using boats and chemical concentrators. In May 2025, a one-kilometer oil leak in the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal near the ArcelorMittal steel plant was contained with floating barriers, while in Sint-Truiden, 2,000 liters of heating oil from an underground tank spilled, affecting several kilometers of the Molenbeek stream and waterway.