Several train services in Belgium were cancelled today as temperatures in some regions soared to 38 degrees Celsius, causing significant disruptions to the national transport network.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, citing international media reports, the national railway company SNCB announced that specific services scheduled during peak morning and evening hours have been suspended due to safety concerns related to the extreme heat.
In an official statement, the company explained that many of the affected trains, which primarily serve commuters, lack modern air conditioning systems. Consequently, temperatures inside the carriages can reach dangerous levels, making it impossible to ensure the safety of passengers and crew under current conditions. The company advised passengers to travel outside of peak hours, check for real-time service updates before departing, and carry water.
The extreme weather is also impacting Belgium's rail infrastructure. High temperatures can cause overhead power lines to sag and increase the risk of rail expansion and deformation, particularly when temperatures exceed 35 degrees Celsius. Currently, an orange weather warning remains in effect across almost the entire country. Authorities have urged residents to avoid outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the day, stay hydrated, and refrain from strenuous physical exertion.
Belgium, like much of Western Europe, has faced increasingly frequent heatwaves in recent years, highlighting the vulnerability of older infrastructure to climate-related stress. The SNCB continues to monitor the situation closely as the heatwave persists.
