Two dead, 10 injured in car crash at Belgian remembrance event

Two people were killed and 10 others injured when a car crashed into a remembrance procession in the west Belgian town of Kortrijk, local media reported on Sunday.

According to Flemish newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws, among those dead is an 87-year-old war veteran, who was taking part in the town's annual commemoration honouring the dead from the first and second world wars. He died on the scene, and a 67-year-old man died in hospital.

The group were assembled on a footpath preparing for the start of their parade, when a driver lost control of their car on a bend and ploughed into them, the newspaper reported.

Het Laatste Nieuws says witnesses saw the 53-year-old driver with his head slumped on the steering wheel, indicating he may have suffered a seizure. He tested negative for drink and drugs, the newspaper added.

Lucien Levecque, an 82-year-old member of the memorial association, told Flemish broadcaster VRT: "We were going to unveil an obelisk bearing the names of war veterans from two world wars. We were waiting with the brass band and about to head for the church service in parade, when tragedy struck."

The acting mayor of Kortrijk, Rudolf Scherpereel, said the relatives of the victims are being cared for and given psychological support. Endit