Risk analysis
What are the risks in the Brussels Region today?
Floods, fires, epidemics, cyberattacks and disruptions to essential services: the Brussels-Capital Region is exposed to a wide range of risks. Its highly urbanised nature, high population density and role as a political, economic and international centre make it sensitive to events that could have considerable impact.
Safe.brussels is responsible for analysing the risks to the Brussels region. This work is used to identify the most likely risks and damaging scenarios over the coming years, in order to guide the actions of authorities and security services.
Anticipate for better protection
Risk identification is the first step in the risk cycle and contingency planning. In the Brussels Region, this responsibility falls to the High Official (Governor for Crisis Management in the Brussels Region) and Director general of safe.brussels.
Risk analysis leads to better anticipation of critical situations. This then limits their consequences through the implementation of preventive measures, improving preparation for the emergency services' response and increasing public awareness of risks.
An analysis based on collective expertise
The risk analysis is supported by the close working relationship with all our partners. Thirty experts from 21 regional and federal organisations contributed to the assessment of 42 potential risks identified for the Brussels area.
Every risk has been analysed based on two criteria: the probability that it will occur in the next few years and the extent of its impact on the population, infrastructure or the functioning of society.
The aim is not to predict the future, but to provide a solid basis for prioritising actions, anticipating critical scenarios and strengthening collective response capacity, notably through contingency plans, exercises and awareness initiatives.
Four main risk categories
The analysis identified 4 main risk categories:
- Natural risks: this category includes, for example, floods, heatwaves and droughts.
- Technological and economic risks: these include transport-related risks (with or without hazardous substances), an incident at a Seveso plant and industrial pollution.
- Health risks: the category of health risks includes epidemics, but also, for example, the risk of pollution spikes.
- Man-made risks: here we classify risks caused by human action and with malicious intent, such as cyberattacks, infrastructure sabotage, deliberate disruption of essential services, attacks on groups of people or national or international institutions.
Specific risks
Vous trouverez ci-dessous plus d'informations sur certains risques spécifiques à la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale.
Risk perception
Alongside the risk analysis and as part of the Regional Safety Survey, the safe.brussels Observatory surveyed residents and commuters from the Brussels Region regarding their perception of risk.
The results of the 2025 Regional Safety Survey show that the public's perception of highly visible or publicised risks, such as cybercrime, heatwaves, storms or public order disturbances, is broadly consistent with that of experts.
On the other hand, certain high-impact risks, such as floods, large-scale power cuts, epidemics and pandemics remain underestimated. This gap highlights the importance of awareness initiatives to ensure that citizens are better prepared and informed.
Good habits for your safety
Everyone has a role to play in managing risk.
It is essential to stay informed about your environment and to identify any risks around your home or workplace. Resources are available to help everyone be better prepared and adopt the right behaviours in case of an emergency.
Emergency calls
Follow us!