Seven young people climb wind turbine: « We investigate which law they have broken » (Beersel)
The wind turbines in the Vaartweg on the Kanaal in Beersel. The masts are one hundred meters high. – © Google Maps
The emergency services pulled out en masse on Thursday evening to the Vaartweg in Beersel. Witnesses had determined from a large distance how some people had climbed on one of the wind turbines. It is a height of one hundred meters. « We do everything we can to prevent them from encouraging other young people, » says police commissioner Alex Geboers.
It was around 8.30 pm that witnesses in the distance saw how some people were on the wind turbine of one hundred meters high. The emergency services were immediately alerted. The police pulled out, just like the Flemish Brabant West Fire Zone.
Social media
« And because we cannot or cannot just climb a wind turbine, the Grimp team of the fire brigade was called on, » says Geboers. « Eventually the seven young people, all of whom are of age, came down themselves. » The height team of the fire brigade was still pulling up to check whether everyone had left the wind turbine effectively.
The purpose of their action was clear: take spectacular photos and videos and then share on social media. After control, the seven young people all turned out to come from Brussels.
Interrogation
« We took them to the Commissariaat for interrogation, » Geboers continues. « And their video cameras were seized. They had several GoPro’s in their pocket. After their interrogation they were allowed to have again, but the cameras had to leave them behind. »
For the time being it is unclear what the young people have done exactly wrong, according to the law. As a result, it is also unclear what will happen to them. « What we have already done has been drawn up an official report for damaging the door, » it sounds. « Because it was forced by the young people to get in. Burglary is also difficult, since it was not their intention to steal something. But what it is all about us is: preventing them from encouraging other youngsters to get such a life -threatening stunts. They call themselves base climbers. »
« Today we call in a lawyer to obtain further information, » says the commissioner. « There is no law that makes it punishable to encourage others to be dangerous stunts. But it is certainly our intention to respond appropriately to this. We hope to give a signal. That is why we will also ask the public prosecutor whether the cameras can be permanently seized. »
