Belgian police have arrested a possible suspect after a knife attack in a Brussels subway station in the EU district. Three people were injured in the attack today. According to police, one of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries and two others suffered minor injuries. Previously there had been talk of an injury.
A dpa reporter reported that a young man was arrested by the police in the Schuman underground station. A few minutes earlier, passersby had shouted: “He has a knife,” as a dpa reporter heard. Several police officers with dogs were also on duty at the scene of the arrest, shielding the area. Rescue workers took care of passers-by directly in front of the European Commission.
No evidence of terrorism
A police spokeswoman told the dpa that she could confirm an arrest. As a spokesman for the dpa public prosecutor’s office in Brussels said, there was no evidence of terrorism.
According to a source familiar with the case, the arrested suspect is “already known to authorities for a psychiatric history.”
“Quick Arrest”
In the evening, Brussels Mayor Philippe Close wrote on Twitter: “Knife attack in the Schuman station”. Good cooperation between the police led to a quick arrest. EU Council President Charles Michel thanked the emergency services and expressed his condolences to the victims.
As the Brussels transport company announced on Twitter, local public transport in the area around the Schumann stop was partially stopped – due to a police operation. The Schuman station is in the area of many important EU institutions.