Gunman kills two Swedes in Brussels, prompting terror alert and halt of Belgium-Sweden soccer match
Belgium (Brussels Morning newspaper) A horrifying incident unfolded in the heart of the Belgian capital on Monday evening when two Swedish nationals became the victims of a shocking act of terrorism, sending shockwaves throughout the city. Belgium’s Prime Minister, in a somber statement, confirmed the nationalities of the victims, shedding light on an international tragedy that has disrupted the peace of this European metropolis.
The Belgium-Sweden Euro 2024 qualifier football match, a highly anticipated sporting event, was abruptly abandoned in the wake of the violence, a grim testament to the profound impact of the unfolding events.
Law enforcement officials and prosecutors are now treating the shooting as an act of terrorism, an alarming development in a city more accustomed to diplomacy than violence. The assailant responsible for this act remains at large, and as the nation holds its breath, Brussels has raised its terror threat level to the highest, reflecting the severity of the situation.
Social media became a platform for the dissemination of information as a video surfaced, featuring a man speaking in Arabic, claiming responsibility for the attack in the name of God. In the video, he asserted that he had taken the lives of three individuals. However, authorities remain cautious, unable to confirm the identity of the gunman at this time.
A spokesperson for the Federal Prosecutor’s office acknowledged the existence of the video and other footage captured during the attack but emphasized that a thorough verification process is underway. The dissemination of such content on social media has only added to the anxiety and uncertainty surrounding the incident.
Federal prosecutors in Belgium have officially opened a terrorism probe following the shooting on the Boulevard d’Ypres, intensifying the efforts to apprehend the perpetrator and understand the motivations behind this shocking act.
As the sun sets over Brussels and the city grapples with this unprecedented tragedy, the thoughts and prayers of the nation are with the victims and their families, while law enforcement agencies work tirelessly to ensure that justice is served and that the city returns to a state of tranquility.
