A section of the R8 ring road around Kortrijk, Belgium, has been closed due to a mudslide and significant water accumulation on the roadway, causing major traffic disruptions. The incident, which occurred on Friday, March 20, 2026, is impacting traffic flow in the region and prompting diversions.
The closure affects the inner ring of the R8 near Bissegem and Heule, immediately following the trumpet interchange. According to Florian Vandecasteele of the Fluvia Fire Department, “A part of the earth from the slope next to the R8 ended up on the road due to the water nuisance. All lanes are covered with a thick slurry, in some places up to knee-high.”
Authorities believe a malfunction with a pumping station responsible for draining water from beneath the R8 likely triggered the landslide. The pumping station issue created a buildup of water, destabilizing the adjacent embankment.
The R8 inner ring is currently closed to all traffic between the trumpet interchange and the Heule-Bissegem exit. Police are diverting vehicles, though the trumpet interchange itself remains accessible. The disruption highlights the vulnerability of infrastructure to drainage system failures.
Firefighters and road crews are working to clear the debris. Vandecasteele stated that “graving machines and trucks will come to clear the slurry later in the afternoon.”
Similar issues were reported in Gullegem, where a water leak contributed to the road being covered in mud, causing significant traffic delays around Kortrijk-West, according to reports. A separate incident involving a mudslide also occurred on the R8 in 2017, as noted by local news sources.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and seek alternative routes. Updates will be provided as the situation develops.
