The Deadly Death Fogs of Belgium
Tags: Mystery, True Crime, Crime, Time, History

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A Great Mystery

Imagine living in Europe during the industrial age, where many populous cities were afflicted by a mysterious thick rolling fog, sometimes only minimal enough to prohibit view and cause accidents, but some so caustic that it killed indiscriminately. One such fog struck the Meuse Valley in Belgium (notabley vicinity of Engis, Tillieur, Flemelle and Hermalle-Sous-Huy) around December 1st, 1930 and lasted for four days, reported as spreading into nearby France/Paris.

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Shrouded in Supersition

Shrouded in superstition, many still believed fogs were summoned by witches, or manifested via will of evil spirits. The phenomenon was little understood to the developed world until very recently, and prior to that thought that it carried pneumonia, or originated from bog fumes. This particular incident was described as so thick it shrouded vision but cold like frost-smoke, which damaged vegetation, corroded metal, window panes, and light bulbs. It killed scores of humans and livestock, being afflicted by symptoms of respitory in nature; sometimes showing symptoms of conjunctivitis (7, 13, 15–18).

Death Fog Hits Belgium.

Nowhere to Hide

Reports state that it hit those predisposed to illness or who were unfortunate to be in its path. With over 64 people dead, and dying, the full death count is unknown to this day, only that many were athsmatic, had tuberculosis prior, heart disease, were obese or elderly. Unlike today’s epidemics with similar symptoms, there was nowhere to hide from this fog; with even reports of it killing families of children (7 children killed in one room near Brussels) who were locked away as means to protect them from the deadly fog after livestock perished. Officially, the devastated area was 35 miles long, and was populated by factories and coal mine settlements. Men were reported to wear gas masks left over from WW1, with the majority that could not afford such masks wearing handkerchiefs on their faces (7, 12, 13, 15–19).

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Wild Theories Ignite Fierce Debate on Origin

Throughout history, and the world, especially in the industrial age, death-fogs were extremely common, and very much misunderstood. Prior the the 1930 event, the fog had hit various places in 1897, 1902, 1911. Researchers at the time were also studying the toxic components of fogs around the world, but especially in London as toxicity in fog was more frequent. Dr. Russell, of the chemical laboratory at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, had been experimenting on London fogs, proving toxicity of carbonic acid gas in the air during a fog, showing “atmospheric impurities“, but in the case of the Death Fog of Belgium such matters could not be proven. Other theories on the origin were that the Black Death Plague had returned, or that this was the remnants of poison reserves hidden in the soil during WW1, or associated with very recent floods. Since the fog could only be escaped by fleeing to higher ground or evacuating all together, Paris and London were on high alert. Paris and Northern France was enveloped by a black thick fog suspending international air service; though no deaths were reported. Also enveloped by fog, shipping in the English Channel was halted (4, 17, 13, 18).

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Though the origin was of heated debate, one thing noted at the time is that vegetation effected by the fog had died, and there were similar effects near local Zinc plants. Strategizing for the future, the Mayors of cities Belgium organized with plans to distribute gas masks, move at risk populations to higher ground, and to install heaters (to prevent cold or freezing atomospheric conditions). Reports state that the fog sickened over 3000–6000 people (total counts vary) with lingering affects from respitory disease, and that the death count was never fully tallied (4-18).

Funeral Rights for the dead, Engis (6)

Industrial Blame, Sweeping Legislation

For the longest time, the “Death Fog of Belgium” was a great mystery, along with similar fog in London, St. Louis and New York. Over time, a pattern emerged; later reports noted that the Meuse valley was situated among 4 coke ovens, 3 steel mills, 4 glass factories, and 3 zinc smelters, and was in a valley known to be prone to severe convection regarding heat and cold.

Theories of Industrial Cause Early on but not proven, Lancaster New Era, 06 Dec 1930, Sat, Page 1

An official report was commissioned in 1938 which was able to prove, without a doubt, that the fog, or otherwise known as smog, was caused by the industrial manufacturing in the area. Research correlated with the work of Dr. Russell, cited nearly 40 years earlier, that the fog contained “atmospheric impurities” that lead to the counted and uncounted deaths of many. The official report states that anhydride sulphur fumes which were spread through the area via atmospheric conditions that normally blew the poisonous air from the valley, but due to the conditions at the time, the valley became a gas chamber. For the first time, due to the industrial concerns, a permanent committee of doctors, scientists, manufacturers, and engineers was encouraged to monitor conditions in the future, and as a result the director of the Meuse Chemical Products company was charged for violating laws regulating industry and inspired such regulation around the globe (5, 8, 14).

Queen of the Belgians visiting the sick or dying (6)

Reference/Resource/Bibliography

Because my references and resources are about 100 sources and very long, often times, this tanks my stats. I’ve opted to record them on a different page as to not ax my required reading time. You can find them recorded accurately here.