Assaults on Belgian transit inspectors surge, driving absenteeism to record high

De Lijn, the Flemish public transport operator, reported 226 violent incidents against its 239 inspectors in 2025, up from 186 in 2024 and 166 in 2023. The resulting absenteeism reached 1,750 days last year, reflecting a sharp rise in workplace violence. This trend signals a growing public-order challenge in Belgium's transit system, though the underlying causes and policy responses remain unclear.