Two Swedes were shot dead in Brussels by a gunman in the city center. The attacker was seen leaving the crime scene on a scooter and was later shot in a cafe in the Schaerbeek neighborhood. The threat level in Brussels has been raised to the highest level.
Emergency services quickly responded to the scene in Brussels after two people were shot dead by a gunman in the city center. The incident occurred just hours before a qualifier game between Sweden and Belgium for the UEFA Euros, which was subsequently called off due to the attack. The suspected assailant was later shot in a café in the Schaerbeek neighborhood.
Following the attack, the threat level in Brussels was raised to the highest level, “level 4,” and the National Crisis Centre urged civilians to exercise vigilance and avoid unnecessary movement. Security measures were also tightened at a friendly match between France and Scotland in Lille.
The suspected perpetrator, a man of Tunisian origin, had applied for asylum in Belgium in 2019 but had his application rejected in 2020. He had been illegally staying in the country since then.
European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, expressed their condolences to Sweden and condemned the attack as cowardly.
Despite the ongoing manhunt, schools in Brussels remained open on Tuesday, as authorities assured the public that there was no reason to close them. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo emphasized that the country’s security services were doing everything they could to apprehend the perpetrator.
The Belgian royal palace also issued a statement expressing shock over the shooting and offering support to the victims and their families.
The incident in Brussels serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat of terrorism and the need for heightened security measures. The swift response of emergency services and the increased vigilance of authorities are crucial in preventing further acts of violence and ensuring the safety of the public..