Sinkhole: most locals return home - no trains for a week

All of the residents living near a large sinkhole that appeared last week on the Chaussée de Louvain in Saint-Josse should be able to return to their homes by Monday evening, water firm Vivaqua has announced.

Some 237 people had to leave their properties on Thursday after the busy road collapsed at the junction of Boulevard Clovis, outside Jazz Station, leaving a 36-square-metre hole, cutting off road and rail traffic as well as the drinking water supply.

Most of the affected residents were allowed back home on Friday night, but 71 people living in 10 properties had to spend the weekend with relatives or in temporary accommodation provided by the municipality.

One resident told Bruzz: "I am diabetic and need my medicine. I'm waiting to hear when we can get in again."

Structural checks were carried out at the weekend on all but three of the affected houses, meaning most residents could return home on Sunday night.

The last three checks should be completed on Monday and Vivaqua wants to restore the drinking water supply in the afternoon so that residents can get back to their properties on Monday night.

Locals who have suffered damage to their property should first contact their insurance company and then Vivaqua's insurer via the email address ass-verz@vivaqua.be

The music venue Jazz Station will remain closed for a week. Le P'tit Boule creche should reopen this Monday. Rail services between Brussels North and Schuman stations will not resume until Monday 18 September.

Drivers are encouraged to avoid the area as there have been lengthy delays on the route of the diversion via Square Ambiorix and Place Dailly.