2013 in Belgium

← 2012 2011 2010 2013 in Belgium → 2014 2015 2016
Decades:	1990s 2000s 2010s
See also:	Other events of 2013 List of years in Belgium

Incumbents

• Monarch: Albert II (abdicated 21 July), Philippe (ascended 21 July)
• Prime Minister: Elio di Rupo

Events

• January 1: Bart De Wever (New Flemish Alliance) has become mayor of Antwerp.
• January 13: Following accusations of tax evasion, Belgium's Dowager Queen Fabiola of Belgium has her annual allowance cut by over 400,000 pounds.
• February 9: Five people were killed in a plane crash at Charleroi airport.^[1] The airport was closed shortly after the crash.^[2]
• February 21:Some 30,000 angry workers took to the streets of Brussels to demonstrate against austerity measures planned by the Belgian government.^[3]
• May 4: During a railway accident in Wetteren several tank cars filled with acrylonitrile explode.
• May 19: Anderlecht draw against Zulte Waregem to win the Jupiler Pro League.
• May 21: Soccer club Beerschot AC is declared bankrupt by the Court of Commerce.
• July 21: King Albert II of Belgium abdicated in favour of his son King Philippe.^[4][5][6]
• July 25: First official heatwave in Belgium since the 2006 European heat wave.
• August 25: Sebastian Vettel wins the 2013 Belgian Grand Prix.
• October 6: Samson Kiptoo Bunge wins the Marathon of Brussels in 2:15.49.
• October 8: François Englert and Briton Peter Higgs win the Noble price for Physics.
• October 12 - Popgroup Clouseau make a come back with the song vliegtuig {Airplane} in the Ultratop 50.
• October 19: Ten parachutists and a pilot die after the plane they were in crashed shortly after taking off.^[7][8]
• December 3: On the A19 highway 3 heavy chain collision occur due to fog clouds.
• December 7: Veerle Baetens wins the European Film Award for Best Actress. Death of a Shadow wins in the category Best Short Film.

Sports

• February 27: Ellen van Dijk wins 2013 Le Samyn des Dames
• August 23-26: Ellen van Dijk wins 2013 Lotto-Belisol Belgium Tour

Deaths

• October 9: Wilfried Martens, 77, 60th and 62nd Prime Minister of Belgium.

References

1. "Belgium plane crash closes Charleroi airport". BBC News. February 9, 2013.
2. "Five people killed in plane crash at Charleroi Airport in Belgium". RTÉ News. February 9, 2013.
3. "Demonstration in Brussels". Euronews. February 21, 2013.
4. "Belgium's new King: Albert II abdicates after 20-year reign to make way for son Philippe". The Independent. July 21, 2013.
5. "Belgium's Albert II abdicates to make way for Philippe". Deutsche Welle. July 21, 2013.
6. "Belgium's King Albert II gives up throne to son". CNN. July 21, 2013.
7. "Ten Parachutists Killed In Belgium Plane Crash". Sky News. October 19, 2013.
8. "At least 10 parachutists killed when their plane crash lands in a field in Belgium minutes after take-off". Daily Mail. October 19, 2013.