Night shop in Mechelen closed for 9 weeks after alcohol poisoning among minors: "Even 1 girl in a coma"

A night shop in Mechelen is forced to close for nine weeks after three underage girls suffered alcohol poisoning from vodka purchased there. The girls were found heavily intoxicated in a nearby park, with one briefly in a coma. Mayor Bart Somers stated that the closure is a serious but proportional measure, especially since this is not the first violation by the shop, which had previously faced administrative closure for illegal activities. The closure will last from November 2 to January 3, and the mayor hopes the owner will improve by 2027 to avoid losing their operating license permanently.