Gas Leak Near Kanal-Centre Pompidou Forces Evacuation of Hundreds of Workers

On Monday, emergency services were alerted to a strong gas smell near Quai de Willebroeck, adjacent to the Kanal-Centre Pompidou museum development in Brussels. Firefighters, police and Sibelga technicians set up a safety zone, halted traffic and ordered evacuations while they examined the underground gas network. By evening, Sibelga had expanded excavation to pinpoint the leak, which was eventually located and repair operations started.

Around 250 construction workers on the museum site, confirmed by spokesperson David Salomonowicz, and occupants of three nearby buildings were evacuated, though fire service spokesperson Walter Derieuw said inspections found no gas in those structures. The incident temporarily disrupted construction and access to the area, but officials have not indicated whether the leak will delay the museum's planned opening on 28 November 2026.