Ostend Festival Halts Performances After WWII Ordnance Erupts in Flames

Theater aan Zee evacuates as unexploded shell ignites at Visserijdok

OSTEND, BELGIUM – A dramatic incident involving a World War II explosive device has brought the popular Theater aan Zee festival to a temporary standstill. The unexploded ordnance caught fire at the Visserijdok, forcing immediate evacuations and halting scheduled performances.

Explosive Discovery and Ignition

The alarm was raised when a self-igniting object, believed to be from the Second World War, began to burn at the Visserijdok. Reports indicate the incident occurred as workers attempted to move the potentially dangerous item. The fire prompted a significant response from emergency services.

Eerste beelden van de brand op het Visserijdok in Oostende. Het zou gaan om een springstof uit de Tweede Wereldoorlog. Meer info volgt. #Oostende #Visserijdok #brand pic.twitter.com/L2oR0LpP8b

— Jeroen Baert (@JeroenBaert_) August 3, 2023

Festival Disruption and Artist Accounts

The emergency situation directly impacted the Theater aan Zee festival, with several performances being cancelled or postponed. Actor **Damiaan de Schrijver** shared his experience of the evacuation, noting he was dressed in a “Schopenhauer costume” at the time. The precise nature of the explosive remains under investigation by the DOVO, the Belgian Army’s Demining Unit.

Ongoing Response and Safety Measures

DOVO has taken charge of the explosive device at the Ostend dock. The immediate threat of the fire has been managed, but the situation underscores the persistent dangers posed by unexploded ordnance from past conflicts. Approximately 20% of all bombs dropped during World War II are estimated to have failed to detonate, remaining a hazard today.

The authorities are working to ensure the safety of the area as the festival organizers assess the full impact on the schedule. Further updates are expected as the explosive ordnance is safely dealt with and the site is cleared.