A serious car accident on the E42 highway in Wallonia led to the interruption of rail traffic between Tournai and Mons on March 29, 2025.

The incident occurred around 3:05 PM near Basècles, when a vehicle, traveling at excessive speed, crashed into the rear of another car, causing it to go over the highway's protective barriers and onto the railway tracks.

This collision resulted in significant damage, including the tearing down of overhead power lines on both tracks, as reported by Infrabel.

In response to the accident, rail traffic was halted to allow emergency responders, including firefighters and first responders, to manage the situation.

Emergency services were promptly dispatched to the scene, including a fire truck, an ambulance, and a mobile emergency and resuscitation service (SMUR).

The driver of the vehicle that ended up on the tracks is reported to be in critical condition, according to the Mons-Tournai prosecutor's office.

The driver responsible for the accident has been detained and is currently being questioned by police, awaiting a decision from the prosecutor's office.

Initial estimates indicate that repairs to the damaged railway infrastructure will take several hours to complete, prompting technical teams to be dispatched to the site.

Around 4:00 PM, another vehicle also departed from the road near Beloeil, impacting the railway lines below, further complicating the situation.

As a temporary measure, SNCB has arranged for replacement buses to transport passengers between Tournai and Mons during the disruption.