At least two people, probably of Swedish nationality, were killed by gunfire early Monday evening in Brussels, and the suspect is on the run, the prosecutor’s office in the Belgian capital told AFP. A video claiming responsibility for the double murder, in which a man speaks in Arabic, was circulating Monday evening on social networks, according to a source close to the case.
I have just offered my sincere condolences to @SwedishPM following tonight’s harrowing attack on Swedish citizens in Brussels.
Our thoughts are with the families and friends who lost their loved ones.
As close partners the fight against terrorism is a joint one.
— Alexander De Croo (@alexanderdecroo) October 16, 2023
The Belgian federal prosecutor’s office responsible for terrorism cases was seized Monday evening of the investigation into the attack which left at least two dead in Brussels, a spokesperson told AFP. The file, until then in the hands of the Brussels public prosecutor’s office, “is federalized”, specified this spokesperson, Eric Van Duyse. The suspect in the double homicide, who left the scene on a scooter and wore a fluorescent orange jacket, is on the run. The football match between Belgium and Sweden, currently being held at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, has been stopped.
Automatic weapon
According to a video posted on the website of the Flemish newspaper Het Laatste Nieuwsthe shooter in a fluorescent orange jacket who was riding a scooter fled after using a automatic weapon, which he shouldered to fire at least four shots.
Following the shooting in Brussels, the police services are mobilizing to ensure security in and around our capital in collaboration with the Minister of the Interior @AnneliesVl. I am present at the crisis center with @michelgoovaerts to ensure coordination.
— Philippe Close (@PhilippeClose) October 16, 2023
The events occurred near Place Sainctelette, in the northern districts of the Belgian capital. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin instructed Monday evening to strengthen controls at the border with Belgium.
Reactions from European leaders
Traveling to Tirana, the capital of Albania, President Emmanuel Macron said that Europe is “shaken” by referring to the “Islamist terrorist attack” which hit Brussels. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni “decisively condemned” the attack which left two dead in Brussels, “an attack” committed “in the heart of Europe”. She announced that she was “following with concern the news on the attack committed in Brussels, in the heart of Europe”, her services indicated in a press release.
“Italy strongly condemns all forms of violence, fanaticism and terrorism and expresses its deepest condolences for the victims and their families,” she concluded in a brief statement. For her part, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, denounced a “despicable attack”.