2023-10-16 23:00:23
Shots had been reported on a street just to the north of central Brussels, which left two Swedish citizens dead and several others injured.
According to reports, the perpetrators shouted “Allahu akbar”, the Islamic phrase meaning “God is the greatest”, before opening fire.
The alleged gunman in a fluorescent orange jacket fled the scene after using an automatic rifle, according to a video shared by Flemish newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws. The suspect was on the run after fleeing the scene by scooter.
Following the attack residents in Brussels were sent a text message from authorities advising them to stay indoors.
Belgian police said that the perpetrator had published a video on social media saying he had targeted Swedish nationals.
Belgian police officers from the forensic service search for evidence in a street after two people were killed during a shooting in Brussels on October 16, 2023. (Photo by Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP)
“According to our information, there is a video circulating on social media where the attacker explains that he is taking revenge through killing people from Sweden,” the Belgian police said in a statement to Belgian media. “The gunman remains on the loose.”
A spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office told AFP that an investigation had been opened but did not speculate on the gunman’s motive.
The federal prosecutor in charge of terrorism cases was probing whether there was any possible terrorist motivation for the attack.
Several terror groups, including Al-Qaeda and ISIS had recently called for revenge attacks on Sweden after a spate of controversial Quran-burning protests in Stockholm and elsewhere in in the country.
The shooting occurred just an hour before Sweden was due to play a Euro 2024 qualifier against Belgium in the city. The Belgian Sudinfo newspaper reported that the victims had been wearing Swedish football shirts.
Martin Fredman, security chief for the Swedish Football Federation, said that his organisation had held a meeting with the Uefa and the Belgian police, who initially decided the match should go ahead.
However the match was later suspended at half time with fans the held inside the ground. Journalists said fans in the stadium remained calm and awaited information on when they would be allowed to leave.
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Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo slammed the “harrowing attack”.
“I have just offered my sincere condolences to the Swedish PM following tonight’s harrowing attack on Swedish citizens in Brussels,” De Croo said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Our thoughts are with the families and friends who lost their loved ones. As close partners the fight against terrorism is a joint one.”
Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson called on Swedes in Brussels to “listen to the Belgian authorities’ recommendations”, after the “terrible news”.
Terrible news from Brussels tonight about dead Swedes in a suspected act of terrorism. My thoughts go out to the victims and their families. It is important that all Swedes in Brussels listen to the recommendations of the Belgian authorities.
— Magdalena Andersson (@magdandersson) October 16, 2023
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said the attack that left two dead in Brussels on Monday evening was “despicable” and vowed unity against terrorism.
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“Tonight, my thoughts are with the families of the two victims of the despicable attack in Brussels,” the European Commission president said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “I extend my heartfelt support to the Belgian police, so they swiftly apprehend the suspect. Together, we stand united against terror.”
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that Europe had been “shaken” by a “terrorist attack”.
“A few minutes ago, Brussels was hit again by an Islamist terrorist attack which apparently, as I speak to you, took the lives of at least two other Europeans, two Swedes,” Macron said during a visit to Tirana, Albania.
Following the attack France announced it was tightening checks on its border with Belgium.
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