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The Belgian fire service responded to smoke aboard the new minehunter M940 Oostende in Zeebrugge. Defense Minister Theo Francken described the incident as 'remarkable' and confirmed that overheating in the exhaust system was noted, suggesting a technical malfunction.

The ship was delivered last November and had been in dry dock until recently. Belgium and the Netherlands have ordered twelve minehunters, with the first, Vlissingen, expected later this month in the Netherlands. The budget for the minehunter project has increased significantly due to inflation.