The Brussels public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into an incident at Brussels North train station in which Securail agents allegedly assaulted a woman of African origin.

According to the public prosecutor’s office, blows were inflicted by both a Securail officer and another person involved in the incident. Both are now under investigation, but new complaints are also being filed because racist remarks were allegedly made.

Too heavy-handed intervention or not?

The incident took place last Friday afternoon at Brussels North train station and has since been widely reported in the media, including racist crap on social media, after the newspaper De Standaard broke the news on Wednesday.

Grace T. and her sister from Norway wanted to take the train from Vilvoorde to Brussels at 2:01 p.m. on Friday, together with a cousin. The women, who have African roots, wanted to buy tickets from the ticket machine, but it was not working.

When they reported this to the conductor and said they wanted to buy tickets on board, he reportedly reacted with displeasure, saying, “It’s always the same with people like you,” and called for assistance from Securail, the security service from the Belgian railway NMBS/SNCB.

The woman had purchased tickets online before Securail intervened – Grace T. herself had a valid annual pass. But when the three security guards boarded the train at North Station, they reportedly refused to listen to their explanation.

One of the guards also demanded to see their passports and residence permits, accusing the Norwegian women of having false identity documents. The Securail officers then allegedly forced the women to leave the train.

On the platform, one of the officers allegedly pushed the Norwegian woman hard. Grace T. then tried to intervene, and images circulating on social media show a screaming woman on the ground being restrained by Securail officers.

Two investigations

The women subsequently filed a complaint about the actions of the Securail agents, and the Brussels public prosecutor’s office has now announced that it has opened two investigations into the accident.

“On August 8, Securail agents intervened at Brussels North station concerning individuals who were unable to produce valid tickets,” said the public prosecutor’s office spokesperson. “During the intervention, blows were allegedly struck by one of the individuals involved and by one of the Securail agents.”

The Brussels public prosecutor’s office has opened two cases for intentional assault and battery: one against the individual involved and one against the Securail agent.

New complaints

Meanwhile, the victims’ lawyer has announced that new complaints will also be filed. More specifically, a complaint will be filed against a second officer, as well as against the train attendant, for allegedly making racist remarks that fueled the officers’ aggression.

The aggravating circumstance of racism will also be taken into account. The complaint from the second woman, who has since returned to Norway, is reportedly being processed.

The lawyer is also demanding that mediation be initiated with NMBS/SNCB to clarify the facts. She is also demanding that a training course be introduced to prevent racism and violence. However, according to the railway company, this is already part of a broader approach to tackling aggression.

Internal investigation

Following the incident, a demonstration will take place on Friday at Brussels Central Station. It is being organized by a citizens’ collective that supports the women involved in the incident. The collective is demanding an independent investigation, a public apology from NMBS/SNCB, and the immediate suspension of the Securail agents involved.

NMBS/SNCB has already stated that it “deeply regrets the incident” and is taking the matter very seriously. An internal investigation has been launched to determine the facts and exact circumstances. Appropriate measures will be taken depending on the results of the investigation, NMBS/SNCB said.

Securail, which has approximately 480 agents in the field, conducted nearly 37,000 interventions in 2024. According to De Standaard, NMBS/SNCB receives around 60 complaints about Securail every year.

Securail agents, who receive three months of training, are allowed to use handcuffs and pepper spray, but are not allowed to carry any other weapons. They are also authorized to conduct identity checks and prepare reports.

If circumstances justify it, they are also allowed to deprive someone of their liberty. Still, this detention is limited in time, and they must systematically report the deprivation of freedom to the police.