Brussels shooting live: Swedes abroad warned of terror attacks after country becomes ‘target among jihadists’
Swedish PM said Monday night’s attack in Brussels was “aimed at Sweden and Swedish citizens”.
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Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called on the European Union to bolster border controls and internal security after a gunman killed two Swedes in Brussels on Monday.
A 45-year-old Tunisian terror suspect opened fire and killed two Swedish football fans. He died on Tuesday after being shot by police in a cafe.
Footage shared online showed a man dressed in an orange jacket unloading several shots, using a large weapon. The bearded man was reportedly seen leaving the crime scene on a scooter.
After the shooting suspect Abdesalem Lassoued posted a video on Facebook about the killings, claiming he was a member of Islamic State (IS) and had killed “three Swedes so far”.
“All indications are that this is a terror attack aimed at Sweden and Swedish citizens only due to them being Swedish,” Kristersson told a news conference.
Sweden raised its terror alert to its second-highest level in August after Koran burnings and other acts in Sweden against Islam’s holiest text outraged Muslims and the government warned that the country had become a priority target among jihadists.
Sweden’s embassies urged nationals to exercise increased vigilance abroad while Swedes at home voiced concerns about safety.
Swedish FA advises fans to stay inside the stadium
A statement shared by the Swedish FA, advised football fans to stay inside the stadium for security reasons.
“We will return when the Belgian authorities provide us with new information. Keep calm and take care of each other,” the statement read.
A statement from UEFA read: “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.”
Macron expresses ‘solidarity’ with Belgium
Writing on X, French president Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity with Belgium, and shared his “shock” at the violent attack.
“I have just spoken with Prime Minister Alexander De Croo to express the solidarity of the French in this terrible moment that Brussels is going through,” he said.
“We are thinking of the victims of this cowardly attack, as well as our Belgian and Swedish friends, whose shock we share.”
Threat level raised to highest ‘level 4’ in Brussels and nearby region
The National Crisis Centre said that it had increased the threat level in the Brussels region to “level 4”. The organisation requested “active vigilance” from civilians and advised against “unnecessary movement”.
It added that the threat level across the rest of the nation would raised to the second-highest.
Earlier, the NCC urged members of the public not to share pictures or videos of the victims on social media, out of respect for their families.
Belgian federal prosecutors have confirmed that one other person has been injured in the Brussels attacks, on top of the two dead.
The prosecutor’s office said that although the man claimed to be inspired by the Islamic State (IS) there was so far no link between the attack and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Belgium v Sweden Euro 2024 qualifier called off
The second half of a qualifier game for the 2024 Euros between Belgium and Sweden at the Heysel Stadium, some 3 miles away, was called off.
Local outlets reported a nervous atmosphere near to the arena following reports of the shooting, and extra security measures were added.
Footage showed security personnel ushering supporters back inside the stadium and closing the gates.
Belgian politicians condemn ‘cowardly’ attack
Belgian Minister of the Interior Annelies Verlinden condemned the “terrible shooting” on X, and said the shooter would be “tracked down.”
“An investigation by the police and the public prosecutor’s office is underway. I am monitoring the situation and the measures to be taken from the National Crisis Centre,” she wrote.
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo described attack “cowardly” and asked citizens to be “vigilant”.
Watch live: Police cordon scene after two people shot dead in Brussels
Emergency services on scene after two people shot dead in Brussels
Police quick to arrive
Police spokeswoman Ilse Vande Keere said officers arrived soon at the scene, and sealed off the immediate neighborhood, though were able to provide further information.
Dutch-language newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws (HLN) reported that the perpatrator of the crimes had released a video on Facebook, in which he claimed to be a member of IS. The man said he had shot the people “avenge the Muslims”.
It comes at a time of heightened politcal and religious tension around the world, following the recent attacks on Israel by Hamas, and ensuing conflict.
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