Divers and a boat began scouring the Albert canal in Hasselt in north-eastern Belgium after two jackets he owned were found in the water.

Stevaert, a minister of state, had learned earlier that prosecutors in Brussels had decided to take him to court over a rape allegation.

The case dated back to 2010 and he had vehemently denied the allegation and mentioned that he will commit suicide if the case became public.

Stevaert is a former Chairman of the Flemish Social Democrat party and governor of the north-eastern province of Limburg.

A spokeswoman for the Brussels prosecutor had announced earlier on Thursday that he was to be prosecuted for rape, indecent assault and abuse of office.

According to Belgian media, the alleged victim made no complaint until 2013, and Stevaert was then questioned by police.

The incident dated back to a TV programme, on which they were both guests, presented by a former Miss Belgium, Goedele Liekens, who has fronted talkshows on Dutch as well as Belgian TV.