Two football fans shot dead in Belgium with gunman at large and terror alert raised
[ad_1]
wo Swedish people have been killed in a shooting in central Brussels, police have said, as the gunman remains at large.
Another person was also reportedly wounded in the attack, which saw a man open fire around 7.15pm on Monday.
Belgium’s crisis centre raised the alert level in Brussels to four – its highest level – following the attack.
Meanwhile a Euros qualifier between Sweden and Brussels was suspended at half-time.
Eric van Duyse, spokesman for the Belgian federal prosecutor, confirmed on Monday night the suspect had not yet been apprehended, adding that the attacker claimed to be inspired by Islamic State.
Mr van Duyse urged Belgians: “Go home and stay at home as long as the threat has not been eradicated”.
Shots were fired near Place Sainctelette on Monday night by an unidentified suspect who was reportedly travelling on a moped.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo later confirmed the two people killed in the shotting were Swedish.
The killings happened around three miles from the stadium where over 35,000 fans were watching the Belgium-Sweden football match.
“The population needs to be actively vigilant and avoid any unnecessary travel,” anti-terror center spokeswoman Laura Demullier said, adding that the top priority for authorities was to get the thousands of fans safely out of the King Baudouin Stadium.
Belgium police stand at the site of a shooting incident in the Ieperlaan – Boulevard d’Ypres, in Brussels, on October 16
/ Belga/AFP via Getty ImagesMr De Croo linked the shooting to “terrorism”.
“I have just offered my sincere condolences to SwedishPM following tonight’s harrowing attack on Swedish citizens in Brussels,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“As close partners the fight against terrorism is a joint one.”
Meanwhile French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking in Albania on Monday evening, described the incident as an “Islamist terrorist attack”.
“Europe is being shaken”, he said.
An investigating source said the suspect was “screaming about carrying out a revenge attack” when the attack took place.
“He was shooting at various people, and hit a number of them,” said the source. “This had all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack.
“Two Swedish football fans died in a taxi, after being attacked by the man, who then got away on his moped,” they added.
The suspect, who was wearing a crash helmet and fluorescent jacket, was brandishing a ‘Kalashnikov-style’ weapon, and had also fired at man in the lobby of a nearby building.
Forensics officers at the scene of the shooting in Brussels
/ REUTERS“The alleged perpetrator has posted a video in which he is a member of ISIS,” the investigating source said.
The claim was also published by Sudinfo, one of Belgium’s largest news outlets, which said the Facebook post shows the man “boasting about having murdered infidels.”
It adds: “In his very violent speech, he said he had shot two people to avenge the Muslims and that we live and die for our religion.”
A Belgium government spokesman said representatives of the country’s security services, public prosecutor’s office and cabinet had gathered at a Crisis Centre, to discuss the terrorist motive.
“All partners have indeed been called together,’ said Laura Demullier, spokesperson for the state Crisis Center. Everyone is asked to come here as soon as possible to discuss the next move.”
The emergency services arrived at the scene of the shooting in large numbers within minutes, but no suspect has yet been arrested.
Swedish supporters react as they wait in the stand during the Euro 2024 qualifying football match between Belgium and Sweden at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels
/ AFP via Getty ImagesA Brussels police spokesman said: “We are talking about two people dead, and they are believed to be Swedish.”
The Swedish national football team was playing a Euros qualifier international against Belgium at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels on Monday night, when the match was abandoned at half-time.
Reports have suggested players from both teams decided during half-time the game should not continue. The score was 1-1 at the time.
Viktor Gyokeres gave Sweden a 15th-minute lead, but Romelu Lukaku had Belgium level just after the half-hour mark.
The shooting came at a time of increased vigilance linked to the Israel-Hamas war which has heightened tension in several European nations.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
[ad_2]
