Belgium: Swedes shot dead in ‘terrorist attack’

By Catherine Nicholls, CNN

(CNN) — Two people were shot dead in the Belgian capital Brussels on Monday evening in what the government described as a terrorist attack.

The suspect was still at large hours later, Belgian media reported, as authorities raised the terror alert in Brussels to its highest level.

“Horrified by the terrorist attack that claimed two victims in the heart of Brussels,” Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib posted to X.

“All necessary means must be mobilized to combat radicalism. Our thoughts go out to the victims, their families, and our police forces,” the minister added.

Following the attack, the terror threat level for Brussels was raised to 4, the highest level. Belgium as a whole was previously level 2.

The incident came as Belgium hosted Sweden in a Euro 2024 qualifier soccer game. The match was abandoned.

Police are on the streets to ensure safety, the city’s mayor Philippe Close posted on X.

“Following the shooting in Brussels, police services are mobilizing to guarantee safety in and around our capital, in collaboration with the Minister of the Interior,” Close said. “I am at the crisis center… to ensure coordination.”

Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo posted to X: “My deepest condolences to the relatives of this cowardly attack in Brussels. I am closely following the situation, together with the Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs from [the Belgian Crisis Center]. We are monitoring the situation and ask the people of Brussels to be vigilant.”

The country’s Crisis Center also posted to X: “Tonight, a shooting took place in Brussels. There are fallen victims. Out of respect, we ask that no images or videos with relation to this incident are shared.”

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