Brussels shooting live updates: Two Swedes shot dead as Belgium police probe possible terror attack

Two Swedes were killed in Brussels after a gunman opened fire in the city centre, police have said.

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.

The violent incident came ahead of a qualifier game for the UEFA Euros between Sweden and Belgium at the Heysel Stadium, some 3 miles away. Local outlets reported a nervous atmosphere near to the arena following reports of the shooting, and extra security measures were added.

The second half of the match was later called off, after players reportedly refused to return to the field. A message from the Swedish FA, sent to supporters advised fans to remain inside the stadium.

Footage showed security personnel ushering supporters back inside the stadium and closing the gates. Nearby Metro stations were also reportedly closed.

Key Points

Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs: ‘We will find the murderer’

01:34 , Mike Bedigan

Sweden’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tobias Billstrom, said that along with their Belgian counterparts, authorities would “find the murderer”.

“Devastated by the news of two Swedish football supporters murdered in Brussels tonight and a third person being seriously wounded,” he wrote on X.

“All my thoughts are with their families and loved ones. Swedish authorities work closely with their Belgian partners to find the murderer.”

Major police operation underway in Brussels commune – reports

01:11 , Mike Bedigan

According to Het Laatste Nieuws, a major police operation is underway in Schaerbeek, with officers there in large numbers.

The alleged gunman is reported to have being stying in the Brussels commune illegally. No information about the suspect has been released by authorities.

Gunman still at large after almost five hours

Monday 16 October 2023 23:54 , Mike Bedigan

No new information has emerged about the suspected gunman’s location, almost five hours on from the initial attacks in which two Swedish nationals were killed.

The incident took place around 7.15pm local time, with authorities unable to share further information since then.

Fans at the King Baudouin Stadium have been evacuated, with some telling Dutch-language newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws that the process had gone “smoothly”.

Brussels police cordon off an area near to the shooting

Monday 16 October 2023 23:40 , Mike Bedigan

Belgium Shooting (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Belgium Shooting (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

(.BELGA PHOTO HATIM KAGHAT (Photo by HATIM KAGHAT / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP) (Photo by HATIM KAGHAT/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images))

Von der Leyen sends condolences to people of Sweden

Monday 16 October 2023 23:32 , Mike Bedigan

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said her thoughts were with the people of Sweden following the attack.

Writing on X, she said: “I want to express my deepest condolences to @SwedishPM Kristersson and the Swedish people who have lost two of their compatriots tonight in the cowardly attack in Brussels. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.”

Watch Live: Police cordon scene after two people shot dead in Brussels

Monday 16 October 2023 23:30 , Mike Bedigan

Suspected claimed to be inspired by IS in online video

Monday 16 October 2023 23:20 , Mike Bedigan

Violent footage circulating on social media appeared to show the suspect, wearing a bright orange jacket, firing a large weapon in the centre of Brussels.

Later and in a separate post, a man in a similar jacket, claimed to be the attacker said he had been inspired by the Islamic State (IS) and said he had shot the people to “avenge the Muslims”.

The National Crisis Centre said the message cited the victims’ Swedish nationality as a possible motive for the act.

Supporters in the stands following the Euro qualifier suspension

Monday 16 October 2023 23:10 , Mike Bedigan

Belgium Shooting (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Supporters in the stands after suspension of the Euro 2024 group F qualifying match (AP)

King Baudouin Stadium evacuated by authorities

Monday 16 October 2023 23:00 , Mike Bedigan

Fans at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels are being evacuated, as the gunman remains at learge.

The National Crisis Centre announced the evacuation, but urged supporters to follow the instructions of the emergency services and return home immediately.

Fans watching the Euro 2024 qualifier between Belgium and Sweden had previously been told to remain inside the stadium and await further information.

Police on the ground in central Brussels

Monday 16 October 2023 23:00 , Mike Bedigan

(BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

(BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

Uefa statement

Monday 16 October 2023 22:53 , Mike Bedigan

Swedish FA advises fans to stay inside the stadium

Monday 16 October 2023 22:50 , Mike Bedigan

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

Monday 16 October 2023 22:45 , Mike Bedigan

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

Monday 16 October 2023 22:40 , Mike Bedigan

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.

Monday 16 October 2023 22:33 , Mike Bedigan

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

Monday 16 October 2023 22:25 , Mike Bedigan

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

Monday 16 October 2023 22:21 , Mike Bedigan

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

Monday 16 October 2023 22:17 , Mike Bedigan

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/brussels-belgium-shooting-police-b2430761.html

Emergency services on scene after two people shot dead in Brussels

Monday 16 October 2023 22:12 , Graeme Massie

Police quick to arrive

Monday 16 October 2023 22:09 , Mike Bedigan

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.

Belgium stadium on lockdown with thousands of fans held inside after Brussels shooting

Monday 16 October 2023 22:05 , Graeme Massie

The Euro 2024 qualifier between Belgium and Sweden was suspended after a fatal shooting in Brussels.

Jack Rathborn has all the details.

Belgium stadium on lockdown with fans held after Brussels shooting

Gunman still at large in Brussels

Monday 16 October 2023 22:03 , Mike Bedigan

A man suspected of shooting two Swedish nationals in Brussels as of around 11pm local time.

Footage shared online showed the man, who was wearing a bright orange jacket and white helmet, speeding away from the crime scene on a scooter.

The violent incident took place at around 7.15pm local time, according to authorities.

Gunman at large after fatally shooting two people in Brussels

Monday 16 October 2023 21:57 , Graeme Massie

Authorities raised the terror alert to the highest level in the capital following the killing of two Swedish nationals.

Mike Bedigan has the story.

Gunman at large after fatally shooting two people in Brussels

Brussels shooting

Monday 16 October 2023 21:56 , Graeme Massie

This is a live blog covering the fatal shooting of two Swedes in Brussels, Belgium.