Two people were killed in Brussels and a gunman remains at large after opening fire in the city centre, police have said.
Footage shared online showed a man dressed in an orange jacket unloading several shots, using a large weapon. Local media outlets said the two victims were Swedish nationals.
The man was reportedly seen leaving the crime scene on a scooter.
The violent incident came ahead of a qualifier game for the UEFA Euros between Sweden and Belgium at the Heysel Stadium, some 3 miles away. Local outlets reported a nervous atmosphere near to the arena following reports of the shooting, and extra security measures were added.
The second half of the match was later called off after players reportedly refused to return to the field. A message from the Swedish FA, sent to supporters advised fans to remain inside the stadium.
“For security reasons, the Belgian police want Swedish supporters to stay in the arena. Take part in information from officials, responsible authorities and SvFF’s staff on site,” the statement read.
“We will return when the Belgian authorities provide us with new information. Keep calm and take care of each other.”
Footage showed security personnel ushering supporters back inside the stadium and closing the gates. Nearby Metro stations were also reportedly closed.
A statement from UEFA read: “Following a suspected terrorist attack in Brussels this evening, it has been decided after consultation with the two teams and the local police authorities, that the Uefa Euro 2024 qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden is abandoned.”
Police spokeswoman Ilse Vande Keere said officers arrived soon at the scene and sealed off the immediate neighbourhood, The Associated Press reported, though no further information was made immediately available.
Dutch-language newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws (HLN) reported that the perpetrator of the crimes had released a video on Facebook, in which he claimed to be a member of IS. The man said he had shot the people to “avenge the Muslims”.
It comes at a time of heightened political and religious tension around the world, following the recent attacks on Israel by Hamas, and the ensuing conflict in the Middle East. At the same time, the Belgian capital has been the scene of violence linked to increasing international drug trafficking.
HLN reported that members of federal law enforcement are being consulted about possible terrorist motives behind the shooting. The case is currently being handled by local police but could be taken over by federal agents if it is deemed necessary.
In a post on X, Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo called the attack “cowardly” and asked citizens to be “vigilant”.
“My deepest condolences to the relatives of the cowardly assassination attempt in Brussels,” he wrote: “I am monitoring developments together with the Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs from the National Crisis Centre.
“We are monitoring the situation and would like to ask the residents of Brussels to be vigilant.”
Minister of the Interior Annelies Verlinden also condemned the “terrible shooting” on X, and said the shooter would be “tracked down.”
“An investigation by the police and the public prosecutor’s office is underway. I am monitoring the situation and the measures to be taken from the National Crisis Centre,” she wrote.
Brussels shooting— (BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)
The National Crisis Centre later confirmed that it had increased the threat level in the Brussels region to “level 4”. The organisation requested “active vigilance” from civilians and advised against “unnecessary movement”.
Earlier, the NCC urged members of the public not to share pictures or videos of the victims on social media, out of respect for their families,
The shooting took place at around 7.15pm local time and five hours later the shooter remained still at large.
