Sylvain Plazy/AP
Police cordon off an area where a shooting took place in central Brussels on Monday, October 16, 2023.
CNN –
Two people were shot dead in the Belgian capital Brussels on Monday evening in what the government described as a terrorist attack.
Belgian media reported the suspect was still at large hours later as authorities in Brussels raised the terror alert to the highest level.
“Horrified by the terrorist attack that claimed two victims in the heart of Brussels,” Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib posted on X.
“All necessary means must be mobilized to combat radicalism. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and our police forces,” the minister added.
After the attack, the terror threat level for Brussels was raised to the highest level of 4. Belgium as a whole was previously level 2.
The incident occurred when Belgium hosted Sweden in a Euro 2024 qualifying football match. The game was canceled.
Police are on the streets to ensure security, the city’s mayor, Philippe Close, wrote on X.
“Following the shooting in Brussels, police services are mobilizing to ensure security in and around our capital, working with the Home Secretary,” Close said. “I’m at the crisis center… to ensure coordination.”
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo posted on [the Belgian Crisis Center]. We are monitoring the situation and ask Brussels residents to be vigilant.”
The country’s crisis center also posted on X: “There was a shooting in Brussels this evening. There are fallen victims. Out of respect, we ask that you do not share any images or videos related to this incident.”