Six dead in Belgium as car hits early morning carnival crowd

Updated 12.32pm

A car ploughed into a crowd of early morning carnival-goers in Belgium on Sunday, killing six people and injuring dozens of others, authorities said.

The tragedy took place just after 5am (0400 GMT) at the carnival of Strepy-Bracquegnies, a district of the former industrial town of La Louviere.

"At this stage of the investigation, we know that a vehicle slammed into a group (of carnival-goers) and that there are six dead and 26 injured, including 10 people whose life is in danger," prosecutor Damien Verheyen told reporters in La Louviere

The main suspects, who were arrested, were born in 1988 and 1990, he said, adding that terrorism was not at this stage considered a motive. 

The suspects came from La Louviere and are not known to authorities for similar acts, Verheyen said.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo deplored the "horrible news" on Twitter, saying "a community gathering to celebrate has been hit in the heart."

De Croo was expected to visit the scene later on Sunday accompanied by Belgium's King Philippe, the prime minister's office said.

Belgian towns and villages host many street carnivals around the season of Lent, with the parades in Binche and...