A possible terrorist shooting in the Belgian capital
On Monday night, a gunman opened fire on a street in Brussels, killing two Swedish citizens and injuring a local taxi driver. The shooting happened around 9:30 p.m. local time, near the Grand Place, a popular tourist attraction in the city center. The gunman arrived on a scooter, wearing an orange fluorescent vest, and immediately started shooting at random pedestrians with a large weapon. He then fled the scene, leaving behind his scooter and vest.
The motive for the attack is still unclear, but authorities are investigating a possible link to terrorism. A claim of responsibility was posted on social media by a person claiming to be the assailant, who said he was inspired by the Islamic State group and targeted the Swedes because of their nationality. Sweden has been facing threats from Islamic militants since August, when a series of Quran-burnings by an Iraqi refugee sparked outrage and violence.
The Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, expressed his condolences to his Swedish counterpart, Stefan Löfven, and said that the fight against terrorism was a joint one. He also praised the swift response of the security forces and the emergency services, who arrived at the scene within minutes and cordoned off the area.
A high terror alert and a suspended soccer match
The shooting triggered a high terror alert in Brussels, which was raised to its highest level of 4, meaning that a threat is extremely serious. The rest of the country was also put on a higher alert level of 2, meaning that the threat is average. The anti-terror center advised the population to be actively vigilant and avoid any unnecessary travel.
The terror alert also affected a soccer match between Belgium and Sweden, which was taking place at the King Baudouin Stadium, about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the shooting site. The match was suspended at half time, with Belgium leading 1-0, and over 35,000 fans were asked to stay inside the stadium for several hours as a precaution. Security measures were taken to protect the Swedish supporters, who were escorted by police to their buses after the match was resumed and ended with a 2-1 victory for Belgium.
The fans expressed their frustration, confusion and fear over the situation. Some said they heard sirens and helicopters during the match, but did not know what was happening until they checked their phones or saw the messages on the stadium screen. Others said they felt safe inside the stadium, but worried about their friends and family outside.
A manhunt for the gunman and an international solidarity
The gunman is still at large and being hunted by the police, who have launched a massive operation to find him. They have released a photo of the suspect, taken from a surveillance camera, and asked for anyone with information to contact them. They have also searched his scooter and vest for clues and possible explosives.
The shooting has shocked and saddened not only Belgium, but also Sweden and other countries. The Swedish Foreign Minister, Ann Linde, condemned the attack as a “cowardly act of violence” and said that Sweden stood in solidarity with Belgium. She also confirmed that the two victims were Swedish citizens who were visiting Brussels as tourists. Their identities have not been disclosed yet.
The European Union also expressed its solidarity with Belgium and Sweden, and its determination to fight terrorism. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said that she was “deeply saddened” by the attack and that her thoughts were with the victims and their families. She also said that “Europe stands united against terror and violence.”
