Over the weekend in Charleroi, Belgium, an alarming discovery was made by supporters of Standard Liege at the Sporting Charleroi stadium during their Belgian league match. Upon investigating a loose seat, Standard fans stumbled upon a stash of remotely controlled flares and smoke bombs hidden beneath their seating area. This unexpected find prompted an immediate response from the local authorities.
The Charleroi prosecutor’s office reported the incident on Monday, detailing that police swiftly arrived at the scene. As a precautionary measure, a section of the stadium was evacuated to ensure the safety of the attendees. Specialist teams, including an explosives defusal unit and a bomb detection dog, were deployed to manage the situation. Their efforts led to the discovery and neutralization of 14 improvised explosive devices consisting of smoke bombs and Bengal fires connected to a remote ignition system.
According to the prosecutor’s office, these devices could have led to severe injuries if they had been activated, posing a significant danger to the fans present. The case has been turned over to an investigating magistrate on charges of “attempted arson of a building with people present,” although no arrests have been made as of yet.
In spite of the unsettling events, Charleroi secured a 1-0 victory over Standard Liege. Matches between these two teams, known for their intense rivalry and dubbed the Walloon derbies, frequently experience disturbances and acts of hooliganism.