Two dead after shooting in Brussels; suspect at large
Oct 17, 2023
Brussels [Belgium], October 17: Football fans have been locked in Belgium's national stadium after two Swedish people were shot dead in an incident linked to terrorism.
Broadcasters have also suspended coverage of Belgium's Euro 2024 qualifier against Sweden in Brussels.
It comes after two people were shot dead in Belgium's capital on Monday night. The victims were wearing Swedish football shirts at the time of the shooting, according to local media reports. No suspect has yet been arrested, and police have cordoned off the scene.
A police spokesperson confirmed that two people had been killed in a shooting, but declined to give further details.
A spokesperson for the prosecutor's office in Brussels also declined to give any details concerning the victims or any possible motive.
Belgium's National Crisis Centre raised the terror alert to the highest level on Monday night.
The country's prime minister, Alexander De Croo, also appeared to link the incident to terrorism.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, he wrote: "I have just offered my sincere condolences to the Swedish prime minister following tonight's harrowing attack on Swedish citizens in Brussels.
"Our thoughts are with the families and friends who lost their loved ones. As close partners, the fight against terrorism is a joint one."
In an earlier post, he offered his "deepest condolences" to the relatives of those killed in what he described as a "cowardly assassination attempt".
He also urged the residents of Brussels to "be vigilant".
The shooting took place near Boulevard d'Ypres - in an area to the north of Brussels city centre.
The area is around three miles (5km) from the King Baudouin Stadium, where the Euro 2024 qualifier is taking place. "I was completely in shock and immediately started shouting," one witness told Het LaatsteNieuws - a Dutch-language newspaper based in Belgium.
Video reported to be of the incident shows a gunman in a fluorescent orange jacket and a white helmet chasing a man into a building.
Source: Qatar Tribune
