Brussels shooting live: Swedes abroad warned of terror attacks after country becomes ‘target among jihadists’

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.

Key Points

• Terror suspect ‘dies in hosptital'

• Perpetrator identified as a man of Tunisian origin who was illegally staying in Belgium

• Suspect ‘shot in cafe’

• Threat level raised to highest ‘level 4’ in Brussels and nearby region

• Belgium v Sweden Euro 2024 qualifier called off

• Thousands of fans evacuated from Belgium stadium after Brussels shooting

Sweden call for stronger border control as they say attack was ‘aimed at Swedes'

13:30 , Athena Stavrou

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, saying the region could not afford to be “naive”.

Two Swedes were shot dead and a third wounded in central Brussels on Monday night as Belgium hosted Sweden for a football match.

A man who identified himself as a member of the Islamic State claimed responsibility and said he had killed “three Swedes so far” in a video posted online.

“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.

Swedish authorities have also said the country has been the target of disinformation in social media about issues such as the Koran burnings and social services’ handling of Muslim families and Sweden’s embassies urged nationals to exercise increased vigilance abroad.

“The threat assessment against Sweden has gradually changed and the threat of attacks by above all violent Islamist extremism has increased,” security police SAPO said in a statement following the attack on Monday. “It is a serious situation and the Security Police estimates that it will remain for a considerable period.”

Brussels gunman suspect was known to police but not on watchlist

15:41 , Athena Stavrou

A man suspected of shooting dead two Swedish football fans and wounding another in Brussels was a 45-year-old Tunisian who had an asylum application rejected in 2020 but continued to live in Belgium illegally, according to Belgian officials.

In 2016, a foreign police service passed on an unconfirmed report that the man had a “radicalised profile” and wanted to go to a war zone to wage jihad, Minister of Justice Vincent Van Quickenborne said.

But he said that there had been “no concrete indication” that the man had been radicalised in the time he was known to the Belgian security services, so he was not on any watchlist.

After his asylum application was denied in October 2020, Belgian authorities said he “disappeared from the radar”.

This year, Belgian authorities received a tip that the man had been convicted of terrorism in Tunisia but the information proved to be false as the man had only been convicted of common law offences, Van Quickenborne said.

Nevertheless, apparently out of an abundance of caution, security authorities had convened a meeting to discuss his case, the minister said.

The meeting had been due to take place on Tuesday - the day he was fatally shot by police.

Sweden and Belgium to mourn victims together

15:33 , Athena Stavrou

Belgium’s Prime Minister said Sweden and Belgium will commemorate the victims of Monday night’s attack together on Wednesday.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Alexander De Croo said: Sweden and Belgium mourn the victims of yesterday’s attack together.

“I have invited @SwedishPM to Brussels tomorrow to commemorate the victims and pay tribute to the police services.

“We wish the people of Sweden strength and courage to get through these difficult times.”

No concrete and immediate risk of terrorism in Italy, minister says

15:14 , Athena Stavrou

There is no “concrete and immediate risk” of a terrorist attack in Italy, the interior minister said on Tuesday. He added that the current situation does require a high level of attention.

“The terrorist threat often presents itself in an intangible, fluid and not always definable manner,” Matteo Piantedosi told parliament after a self-proclaimed Islamist militant shot dead two Swedish citizens in central Brussels late on Monday.

Macron says ‘Islamist terrorism’ rising in Europe

14:52 , Athena Stavrou

Europe is seeing a rise of “Islamist terrorism” and all states are threatened, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday during a visit to Albania, after Islamist killings of a teacher in France and two Swedish football fans in Belgium.

“We saw it again yesterday in Brussels. All European states are vulnerable, and there is indeed a resurgence of Islamist terrorism,” Macron said after talks with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana.

“Here, we reiterate our solidarity with our Belgian friends,” Macron said.

He added that in the coming days or weeks he might visit Israel, who is at war with the Islamist group Hamas.

Pictures: Aftermath of deadly shooting

14:30 , Athena Stavrou

Pictures showed forensic experts working, after a police operation against a deadly shooting suspect in Schaerbeek, Brussels.

Swedish security police arrests two suspected of unauthorized possession of secret information

14:00 , Athena Stavrou

The Swedish security police arrested Tuesday two people suspected of gross unauthorized possession of secret information following an early morning police raid where several houses were searched in the greater Stockholm area.

Sweden’s SAPO domestic security agency said in a statement the suspects are now being questioned.

It declined to give details on the case or say whether they were Swedish citizens or foreign nationals.

“It was an operation that was carried out calmly and in connection with these arrests. House searches were also carried out in a number of places where seizures have been made,” SAPO spokesman Fredrik Hultgren-Friberg told Swedish public broadcaster SVT.

According to the security agency, Tuesday’s raid is not connected to previous cases but is tied to a separate preliminary investigation. Swedish prosecutors will decide whether to detain or release the suspects by midday Friday.

Is it safe to travel to Brussels after fatal shooting?

13:00 , Athena Stavrou

Following the fatal shooting of two people in Brussels on 16 October, the Foreign Office (FCDO) has updated its advice for travel to Belgium.

The FCDO put the Brussels-Capital Region at “threat level 4 of 4: avoid all non-essential travel” following the attack. The advice reads: “Avoid the area and follow the advice of local authorities” and “This is a developing situation – follow the advice of local authorities.”

Travel seems to be going ahead as normal. All Eurostar services from London to Brussels Midi / Zuid are running on time on 17 October, other than one early morning train (7.04am) that was cancelled.

Read more:

Is it safe to travel to Brussels after fatal shooting?

How Quran burnings in Sweden have increased threats from Islamic militants

12:29 , Athena Stavrou

The killing of two Swedish citizens in an attack in Brussels has shocked the Scandinavian country, although the government has been warning for months that Swedes were at greater risk since a recent string of public desecrations of the Quran holy book by a handful of anti-Islam activists.

Read more:

How Quran burnings in Sweden have increased threats from Islamic militants

Sweden tells Swedes abroad to be extra cautious

12:06 , Athena Stavrou

The Swedish government on Tuesday called on the Nordic country’s citizens abroad to be cautious after two Swedes were shot dead in the capital of Belgium on Monday.

“The threat picture against Sweden and Swedish interests abroad was already heightened,” it said on its website.

“Due to the fact two Swedes were killed in Brussels in a suspected terrorist act, Swedes abroad are urged to observe increased caution and increased vigilance and to follow local authorities’ advice,” it said.

Attacks ‘aimed at Swedish citizens'

11:34 , Athena Stavrou

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told a press conference that Monday night’s attack in Brussels was “aimed at Sweden and Swedish citizens”.

Two Swedes were shot dead and a third wounded in central Brussels on Monday night as Belgium hosted Sweden for a football match. A man who identified himself as a member of the Islamic State claimed responsibility in a video posted online.

He was later shot by police and died in hospital.

“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. “These terrorists want to scare us into obedience and silence. That will not happen.”

Kristersson added that Sweden and the European Union needed to better protect their borders and ensure that dangerous individuals could not stay illegally within the region, adding: “This is a time for more security, we can’t be naive.”

Sweden 'need to increase security’

11:09 , Athena Stavrou

Sweden and the European Union need better border controls, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told a press conference on Tuesday.

He spoke after a gunman killed two Swedes in Brussels late on Monday and added that Sweden needs to increase its own security.

“I understand that many Swedes are afraid and angry,” Kristersson said. “This is a time for more security, we can’t be naive.”

Watch: Moment gunman opens fire killing two people in Brussels

10:14 , Athena Stavrou

Two Swedish nationals were shot dead and a third one was wounded in central Brussels on Monday night and a man who identified himself as a member of the Islamic State claimed responsibility in a video posted online.

The suspect fled the scene after the shooting as a football match between Belgium and Sweden was about to start, triggering a massive manhunt and prompting Belgium to raise its terror alert to the highest level.

Watch: Suspected Brussels attack gunman filmed moments before police shot him in café

09:51 , Athena Stavrou

A suspected gunman who allegedly shot and killed two Swedes in Brussels was caught on CCTV just moments before he was shot by police in a nearby cafe.

A man opened fire in the city centre on Tuesday evening, shooting two people dead.

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.

Suspected Brussels attack gunman filmed moments before police shot him in café

LIVE: Police search property after Brussels gunman arrested

09:16 , Athena Stavrou

Watch live as police search property after gunman was arrested in Brussels.

Terror suspect dies in hospital from wounds

09:11 , Athena Stavrou

Belgian police on Tuesday shot and wounded a 45-year-old Tunisian suspected of killing two Swedish football fans in Brussels, Belgian media said.

The man was shot by police in a cafe on Tuesday and died in hospital from his wounds, media said.

“The perpetrator of the Brussels terrorist attack was identified and has died,” Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden told POLITICO. “Our thanks to the intelligence and security services and the public prosecutor’s office for their quick and decisive action last night and this morning.”

Two Swedish nationals were shot dead and a third one was wounded in central Brussels on Monday night and a man who identified himself as a member of the Islamic State claimed responsibility in a video posted online.

The suspect fled the scene after the shooting as a football match between Belgium and Sweden was about to start, triggering a massive manhunt and prompting Belgium to raise its terror alert to the highest level.

“The weapon with which the attacks were committed has been found this morning where the man was apprehended in (the Brussels borough of) Schaerbeek. That makes the likelihood that the perpetrator has been caught bigger,” Verlinden told VRT broadcaster.

“We are checking fingerprints to be 100% sure.”

Brussels shooter dead, local media say

08:46 , Athena Stavrou

The perpetrator of Monday’s lethal attacks in Brussels is dead, Belgian public broadcaster RTBF said on Tuesday.

The suspected assailant who shot to death two Swedish nationals and wounded a third person in central Brussels on Monday night was shot in a cafe in the Schaerbeek neighborhood of the Belgian capital, Belgian media reported on Tuesday.

Earlier, it was reported that the man was in intensive care in hospital.

Authorities confirm terror suspect shot by police

08:26 , Athena Stavrou

Belgian police on Tuesday shot and wounded a 45-year-old Tunisian who killed two Swedish citizens in Brussels on Monday, local broadcaster RTBF radio said on its website.

Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden said earlier the wounded man was suspected of being the gunman.

“The weapon with which the attacks were committed has been found this morning where the man was apprehended in Schaerbeek. That makes the likelihood that the perpetrator has been caught bigger,” Verlinden told VRT broadcaster.

“We are checking fingerprints to be 100% sure.”

She said the man was in intensive care in hospital. Schaerbeek is on the border of Brussels.

The Belgian capital’s mayor Philippe Close told BFM TV: “It seems indeed the suspect has been neutralised.”

Terrorist attacks “shakes the foundations” of peaceful society - Belgian PM

08:15 , Athena Stavrou

Belgian’s Prime Minister has offered “unwavering solidarity”, after two Swedes were shot dead in Brussels.

Alexander De Croo wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter that terrorist attacks shake “the foundations of our peaceful societies”.

Police and forensic officers man the scene of the shooting in Brussels

07:57 , Mike Bedigan

Pictures: Brussels attack

07:47 , Athena Stavrou

Belgium was searching on Tuesday for a 45-year-old Tunisian gunman who killed two Swedish citizens and wounded a third on Monday in Brussels in what Prime Minister Alexander De Croo called a brutal terrorist attack.

Belgian media said the attacker was found and shot in a cafe in the Belgian capital, but prosecutors said they were awaiting confirmation that it was the suspect.

Belgium was hosting Sweden in a Euro 2024 qualifying match on Monday evening. The match was abandoned at halftime.

The country has raised the security alert status of its capital city to the highest level, with increased police presence, particularly for Swedish people and institutions, and warned the public to be extra vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel.

suspect ‘shot in cafe'

07:30 , Rich Booth

The suspected assailant who shot to death two Swedish nationals and wounded a third person in central Brussels on Monday night was shot in a cafe in the Schaerbeek neighborhood of the Belgian capital, Belgian media reported on Tuesday.

Belgium’s federal prosecution office confirmed the information, telling Reuters it was still uncertain if the person shot is indeed the assailant.

Watch: Emergency services on scene after two people shot dead in Brussels

07:15 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Threat level raised to highest ‘level 4’ in Brussels and nearby region

07:03 , Mike Bedigan

Shortly following the attack 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.

Emmanuel Macron: ‘Europe has been shaken’

06:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar

After two Swedes were killed in a terrorist attack in Brussels, French president Emmanuel Macron said that “Europe has been shaken”.

Belgian police earlier said that the gunman had suspected terrorist motives.

A spokesman for the Belgian federal prosecutor, Eric van Duyse, requested locals to “go home and stay at home as long as the threat has not been eradicated”.

Security tightened at a friendly match between France and Scotland

06:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

After the terrorist attack in Brussels that killed two Swedes, France tightened security measures at a friendly match between France and Scotland in Lille on Tuesday evening, French newspaper Le Monde reported.

Federal prosecutors in Belgium have launched a terrorism inquiry over the shooting on the Boulevard d’Ypres in Brussels.

Perpetrator’s application for asylum was rejected in 2020

06:29 , Maroosha Muzaffar

State Secretary for Asylum and Migration Nicole de Moor told reporters on Tuesday that the suspected perpetrator applied for asylum in Belgium in November 2019.

However, in October 2020, his application was rejected and shortly afterwards he disappeared from the radar.

Belgian royal palace issues statement over shooting

06:15 , Maroosha Muzaffar

The Belgian royal palace said it was “shocked” by the shooting. “Our thoughts are first and foremost with the victims, their families and loved ones. We support the security forces who are currently doing their utmost to track down the perpetrator,” the palace said on social media.

Perpetrator identified as a man of Tunisian origin who was illegally staying in Belgium

06:13 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo told reporters today that “the perpetrator is said to be a man of Tunisian origin who was staying illegally in our country”.

He also said that security would be increased in sensitive areas including those belonging to the Swedish community.

“The perpetrator targeted Swedish supporters. It was said to be a man of Tunisian origin who was staying illegally in our country,” he said.

“Two lives were cut short, mown down by the most extreme cruelty. Our thoughts go out to the victims, their loved ones, their relatives. We offer our condolences,” he added.

Brussel schools to remain open on Tuesday, PM says

06:12 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Schools in Brussels will remain open today despite the suspect still being at large.

HLN reported that schools are “not staying closed due to the heightened terror” threat following Monday night’s attack in Brussels.

According to prime minister Alexander De Croo, who addressed a press conference, “there is no reason to close schools”.

“Everyone is now looking for a foothold. In any case, with our country, with our excellent security services, we are doing everything we can to track down the perpetrator,” Belgian minister of the interior Annelies Verlinden said.

European leaders condemn ‘cowardly’ attack

06:00 , Mike Bedigan

European political leaders sent their condolences to Sweden and its leaders following the attack – in which two Swedish nationals were killed – describing it as “cowardly”.

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, 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.”

French president Emmanuel Macron added: “We are thinking of the victims of this cowardly attack, as well as our Belgian and Swedish friends, whose shock we share.”

Belgian prime minister says shooting victims ‘cut down by extreme brutality’

05:56 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo addressed a press conference this morning and said Monday night was meant to be “a wonderful soccer party” and the victims had been “cut down by extreme brutality”.

“Terrorism is directed against people everywhere,” he said. “Terrorists will never defeat us and we are fighting it together with our Swedish friends.

“Moments like these are a heavy ordeal but we are never going to let ourselves be intimidated by them.”

Suspect ‘claimed to be a member of Isis’

05:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Dutch-language newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws (HLN) reported that the gunman had released a video on Facebook in which he claimed to be a member of Isis.

He said he had shot people to “avenge the Muslims”.

The suspected perpetrator is from Schaerbeek – a municipality in Belgium – and is believed to be “radicalised”, HLN added.

In a video posted on social media, a man identifying himself as the attacker said “he was inspired by the Islamic State”, the spokesman for the federal prosecutor’s office, Eric Van Duyse, said on the LN24 news channel.

Eyewitness describes horror of Brussels attack

05:41 , Maroosha Muzaffar

An eyewitness has described being frozen in shock at the moment the gunman discharged his weapon.

Speaking with the Belgian LN24 channel, the witness who was identified as Sulayman said: “I stood there frozen, I didn’t move. I was shocked by what happened, even now I am still in shock. It was a man who came, pushed me, told me to start running if I wanted to stay alive.”

Meanwhile, Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, said: “The heart of Europe is hit by violence. My heart goes out to the families of the victims of the deadly attack in the centre of Brussels.”

Swedish prime minister urges Swedes in Belgium to stay ‘vigilant’

05:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson urged Swedes in Belgium to be vigilant after the attack by a gunman left two Swedes dead.

Mr Kristersson was quoted as saying by the Swedish TT news agency: “The Swedes on the ground are asked to be vigilant and to follow the instructions of the Belgian authorities with attention. My thoughts tonight are with the dead, the wounded and their loved ones.”

Swedish foreign minister Tobias Billstrom wrote on X/Twitter: “Devastated by the news of two Swedish football supporters murdered in Brussels tonight and a third person being seriously wounded. All my thoughts are with their families and loved ones.”

He assured that the Swedish authorities are “working closely with their Belgian partners to find the murderer”.

Police and lawmakers try to assuage residents’ fears after attack

05:15 , Maroosha Muzaffar

The city’s mayor Philippe Close posted on X: “Following the shooting in Brussels, police services are mobilising to guarantee safety in and around our capital, in collaboration with the minister of the interior. I am at the crisis centre… to ensure coordination.”

Belgium’s prime minister Alexander De Croo also expressed his condolences to the relatives of the shooting victims. He wrote on X: “My deepest condolences to the relatives of this cowardly attack in Brussels. I am closely following the situation, together with the ministers of justice and home affairs from [the Belgian Crisis Centre]. We are monitoring the situation and ask the people of Brussels to be vigilant.”

The suspect is still at large, hours after the attack.

Watch: Emergency services at scene of Brussels shooting

04:56 , Mike Bedigan

‘Horrified by the terrorist attack’, says Belgian foreign minister

04:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

The country is in shock after a gunman with “suspected terrorist motives” shot dead two Swedes in Brussels.

“Horrified by the terrorist attack that claimed two victims in the heart of Brussels,” Belgian foreign minister Hadja Lahbib posted on X/Twitter.

“All necessary means must be mobilized to combat radicalism. Our thoughts go out to the victims, their families, and our police forces,” she added.

Soon after the attack, the terror threat level for Brussels was raised to 4 — the highest level. Belgium was previously level 2.

Football fans put on lockdown inside Belgium stadium before evacuation

03:53 , Mike Bedigan

Emmanuel Macron: ‘Europe has been shaken’

03:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar

After two Swedes were killed in a terrorist attack in Brussels, French president Emmanuel Macron said that “Europe has been shaken”.

Belgian police earlier said that the gunman had suspected terrorist motives.

A spokesman for the Belgian federal prosecutor, Eric van Duyse, requested locals to “go home and stay at home as long as the threat has not been eradicated”.

‘Suspected terror attack’ forces Euro 2024 qualifier to be cancelled

03:13 , Mike Bedigan

The attack caused the second half of the Euro 2024 qualifier match between Belgium and Sweden to be cancelled, after players reportedly refused to return to the field.

Reports from the ground described a nervous atmosphere near the stadium, which was later locked down before supporters were safely evacuated.

A statement from Uefa said that the decision to cancel the remaineder of the match had been made following consultation with both teams and the police, following the “suspected terrorist attack”.

Motivation behind Brussels attacks unkown

02:15 , Mike Bedigan

The motivation of the violent attacks that left two people killed and one injured, are still unkown.

In a video posted on Facebook, the alleged gunman claimed to have been inspired by the Islamic State and intended to “avenge the Muslims”

However, Belgian federal prosecutors have said that they do not believe the motive related to ongoing conflict in the Middle East, despite rising tensions in major European cities following the attacks on Israel by Hamas.

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

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm4LMfMt_cg

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

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

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.