Two people killed in Brussels, armed attacker escaped on a motorcycle, Belgium vs. Sweden match suspended

(Patria) - Two people were killed tonight in a shooting in the center of Brussels, Belgian police announced.

Media broadcast amateur video footage showing a man firing several shots near a station, adding that the victims were Swedish, AP reports.

The Swedish national team was playing against Belgium at a stadium about five kilometers away. The match between Belgium and Sweden was suspended, and there are a large number of fans at the stadium. The official announcer called on fans to remain in the stadium.

A police spokesperson said that officers quickly arrived at the scene. She did not wish to specify the circumstances of the shooting.

The man suspected of being the attacker posted a video message on Facebook. In it, according to Sudinfo, he claims to be a member of ISIS (Islamic State) and boasts about killing infidels. "In his very violent speech, he said he killed two people to avenge Muslims and that we live and die for our faith," the report states.

There are fears of more victims. The attacker escaped on a motorcycle.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo commented on X.

"My deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the cowardly attack in Brussels. I am following developments together with the Ministers of Justice and Interior from the national crisis center. We are monitoring the situation and ask the residents of Brussels to be cautious."

The threat level for the Brussels capital region has been raised to level 4. The National Crisis Center confirms this. The threat is considered "very serious", specifically "when the threat is serious and very imminent".

On X, formerly Twitter, the Crisis Center also asks for "active vigilance".

"We ask people to postpone non-essential travel," spokesperson Laura Demullier told Belga.

Border controls have also been intensified.

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