Zaventem, Belgium — Police, fire crews, and a bomb disposal unit responded to a security alert at the headquarters of ACMP-CGPM, the Belgian military union, on Tuesday afternoon after employees reported a suspicious package.
The package, which triggered an evacuation and a security cordon, was later found to contain confetti, according to Zaventem police.
The local police received the report around 2 p.m., prompting a swift response from emergency services, including the Fire Brigade and DOVO, Belgium’s specialized bomb disposal unit.
On arrival, officials quickly established a safety perimeter around the building as a precautionary measure while the package was inspected.
ACMP-CGPM spokesperson Yves Huwart commended the organization’s cautious approach. “After the package was discovered, we took immediate steps to isolate it,” he said, emphasizing that the union prioritized safety above all.
Huwart explained that employees had good reason to treat the situation seriously, as the union has been receiving letters with unsettling content over recent months.
“It didn’t appear to be a prank,” he added, underscoring the heightened alert among the union’s staff. The situation was eventually deemed safe when DOVO confirmed that the package’s contents were harmless.
However, the response highlighted the climate of concern within the organization, particularly given the recent influx of what Huwart described as “questionable” correspondence.
Local authorities have since launched an investigation into the origins of the package, aiming to determine whether the confetti-filled parcel was an innocent mistake, a prank, or something intended to instill fear in union employees.
ACMP-CGPM, a prominent union advocating for the rights of Belgian military personnel, has been on high alert in recent weeks due to these concerning communications.
The union has reportedly increased its security measures, encouraging staff to report any suspicious activity or items.
The incident at their Zaventem headquarters has further underscored the need for vigilance, and the union is now working closely with police to monitor any future security threats.
The Zaventem police department has stated that while the confetti incident turned out to be a false alarm, it will not deter them from taking similar reports seriously in the future.
