BELGIUM. Brussels: The shooting incident in Brussels, Belgium, which resulted in the tragic loss of two Swedish citizens and left another wounded, has sent shockwaves across Europe. The shooting took place in the capital’s northern districts. Police were alerted to the incident after 7 pm local time (1700 GMT).
Belgian media reports indicate that the victims were wearing Swedish national football team jerseys.
Authorities are treating this incident as an act of terrorism, and Brussels is on high alert as the unidentified gunman, believed to be armed with an assault rifle, remains at large.
The Euro 2024 football qualifier match between Belgium and Sweden, scheduled in the city, was canceled in response to the incident.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who was in Albania at the time, expressed, “Europe has been shaken” by the events.
A spokesperson for the Belgian federal prosecutor, Eric van Duyse, has urged the public to stay at home until the threat has been eliminated. It has been reported that a video posted on social media shows an individual claiming responsibility for the attack in the name of the Islamic State group.
Federal prosecutors have launched a terrorism inquiry into the shooting, which occurred on the Boulevard d’Ypres. While a video related to the incident has been shared on social media, its authenticity is still under verification.
The Swedish football players informed UEFA that they were unwilling to continue the game’s second half, and the Belgian team concurred.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo expressed his “deep condolences” to the Swedish Prime Minister and emphasized the joint effort in combating terrorism as close partners.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that he was “shocked and disturbed” by the news from Belgium.
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, extended her sympathies to the victims’ families and expressed support for the Belgian police in their efforts to apprehend the suspect. She emphasized unity in the fight against terror.
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