Brussels On Highest Security Alert After Two Swedes Shot Dead

Brussels is on its highest security alert after two Swedes were shot dead in the centre of the city.

Belgium’s prime minister, Alexander De Croo, has suggested the shooting is linked to terrorism, with the gunman still on the run.

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“I have just offered my sincere condolences to  @SwedishPM following tonight’s harrowing attack on Swedish citizens in Brussels,” Mr De Croo said on X, formally Twitter.

Belgium’s federal prosecutor said the shooting took place in the city’s northern districts around 7pm and had also left a third person wounded.

Media reports broadcasted amateur videos of a man shooting several times neat a station using a large weapon.

Police spokeswoman Ilse Vande Keere said officers arrived at the scene and sealed off the immediate neighbourhood.

A federal prosecutor is investigation where the shooting was in fact conducted with terrorist motivation.

Soccer match abandoned

Just five kilometres away from the incident, the Belgium-Sweden Euro 2024 qualifier football match was being played.

The match, being played at Heysel Stadium, was abandoned at half time after the 35,000 fans in the stands were instructed to remain in the stadium.

“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,” European soccer governing body UEFA said on its website.

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