布魯塞爾，作為比利時的首都與歐盟政治核心，被許多旅客視為浪漫與文化交織的城市。然而，在這座城市的光鮮外表之下，也隱藏著令人憂心的治安問題，特別是在布魯塞爾南站（Bruxelles-Midi / Brussels-South Station）一帶。這座車站不僅是比利時最重要的鐵路交通樞紐之一，也是歐洲高鐵網絡的重要節點，連接巴黎、阿姆斯特丹、倫敦等地。然而，它的周邊環境卻長期飽受治安不佳、環境髒亂與社會問題困擾，甚至被媒體形容為「西歐最危險的城市角落」之一。

布魯塞爾南站附近治安惡劣的原因，與其地理位置與社會結構有關。車站周邊聚集大量的流浪者、非法移民與毒品交易者，部分地區幾乎成為露天吸毒與交易的「灰色地帶」。日落後，站前廣場與周邊街道的犯罪風險顯著提高，扒竊、搶劫與騷擾事件時有發生，許多旅客在剛抵達時便遭遇財物被竊的經歷。再加上警方與地方政府在此地的巡邏密度不足，使得治安問題長期無法有效改善。

除了治安之外，環境髒亂也是南站惡名的一大原因。車站周邊的街道常可見垃圾、破舊帳篷與被丟棄的雜物，公共空間維護不足，使遊客對布魯塞爾的第一印象大打折扣。許多當地居民甚至會刻意繞開此區，避免與聚集於此的高風險人群接觸。

更令人不安的是，布魯塞爾曾多次成為恐怖攻擊的目標，其中包括2016年震驚全球的布魯塞爾恐怖襲擊事件。當年3月22日，恐怖分子在布魯塞爾機場與馬埃爾貝克地鐵站引爆炸彈，造成32人死亡、數百人受傷。雖然此次襲擊並未直接發生在南站，但事後的調查顯示，部分恐怖分子正是以布魯塞爾為行動據點，其中南站周邊的複雜人口結構與監控盲區，曾被懷疑為恐怖組織的藏匿地之一。這一背景，使得南站在國際輿論中與安全隱患劃上等號。

總體而言，布魯塞爾南站的治安問題並非一朝一夕形成，而是長期累積的社會與城市管理問題所致。它的存在，也讓布魯塞爾在國際旅遊評比中常被列為需要格外小心的城市之一。對於前往布魯塞爾的旅客而言，雖然這座城市擁有豐富的文化與歷史資源，但在途經南站或選擇住宿時，仍必須提高警覺，避免單獨夜行或暴露貴重物品，以免成為不幸的受害者。

Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the political heart of the European Union, is often regarded by travelers as a city where romance and culture intertwine. However, beneath its polished exterior lies a troubling security issue, particularly in the area surrounding Brussels-South Station (Bruxelles-Midi / Brussels-South Station). This station is not only one of Belgium’s most important railway hubs, but also a key node in Europe’s high-speed rail network, connecting cities like Paris, Amsterdam, and London. Yet, the surrounding environment has long been plagued by poor security, filth, and social problems, with some media even describing it as one of “Western Europe’s most dangerous urban corners.”

The station’s poor safety record is tied to both its geographic location and social structure. Large numbers of homeless people, illegal immigrants, and drug dealers congregate in the area, with some zones effectively functioning as open-air drug use and trafficking sites. After sunset, the risk of crime—such as pickpocketing, robbery, and harassment—rises significantly around the station’s forecourt and nearby streets. Many travelers report having their belongings stolen shortly after arrival. The lack of sufficient police patrols and local government intervention has allowed these problems to persist for years without effective resolution.

In addition to safety concerns, the area’s dirty and neglected environment contributes to its poor reputation. Streets around the station are often littered with garbage, makeshift tents, and discarded belongings. The lack of proper public space maintenance leaves a negative first impression on visitors to Brussels, with many locals even avoiding the district to steer clear of the high-risk population concentrated there.

What makes matters worse is Brussels’ history as a target for terrorist attacks, most notably the 2016 Brussels bombings. On March 22, 2016, terrorists detonated explosives at Brussels Airport and Maelbeek metro station, killing 32 people and injuring hundreds. Although the attack did not occur directly at Brussels-South Station, subsequent investigations revealed that some of the terrorists used Brussels as their operational base. The complex population makeup and blind spots in surveillance near the South Station were suspected of providing a hiding place for terrorist groups, further cementing the area’s association with security threats in the eyes of the international community.

Overall, the safety issues at Brussels-South Station are not the result of a single incident, but rather the product of long-term social challenges and urban management failures. Its existence has contributed to Brussels’ frequent inclusion on travel advisories as a city that warrants extra caution. For travelers, while Brussels offers a wealth of cultural and historical attractions, extra vigilance is advised when passing through the South Station or choosing accommodation nearby—avoiding walking alone at night and keeping valuables out of sight can help reduce the risk of becoming a victim.