A relentless operation is currently unfolding in Belgium, as they urgently hunt for a 45-year-old Tunisian assailant. On Monday, this gunman ruthlessly killed two Swedish citizens and caused significant injuries to a third party in what Alexander De Croo, the Belgian Prime Minister, vehemently condemned as a fear-provoking act of terrorism.
Reports from Belgian VRT TV indicate that suspicions arise on the gunman’s location – a cafe in Belgium’s capital. Yet, the prosecutors are in suspension, waiting to confirm this alleged truth.
Meanwhile, our neighbouring France isn’t taking this matter lightly. In response to this grave incident, the French administration has heightened security at the Belgian border, according to a statement on Tuesday by the French Interior Minister.
Consequently, the terror threat level in Brussels has currently escalated to its zenith. Prime Minister De Croo suspecting the incident bears the ghastly mark of terrorism.
Mirroring this sentiment, the OCAD anti-terror centre reaffirms this claim, adjusting the terror alert for the entire country to a level just shy of its peak.
According to Laura Demullier of the OCAD, the immediate priority of the authorities transpired as ensuring the safety of thousands of fans attending a Belgium-Sweden football match. This required safely evacuating them from King Baudouin Stadium, where a premature halt had to be made during the match at half-time.
While the assailant remains at large, the horrifying brutality happened unsettlingly close to the stadium, merely three miles away, where more than 35,000 fans were held in fearful suspense for over two hours.
Prime Minister De Croo, in a press conference on Tuesday, uttered ire and disgust towards the shooters, labelling them as “cowards”. Turning a night that ought to have been of joyous football into a nightmare, the victims were subjected to horrifying brutality.
In the face of adversity, De Croo affirmed the resilience of the people. “Terrorists will never defeat us, and we stand in solidarity with our Swedish friends. Despite being a testing ordeal, we refuse to be intimidated by such heinous acts.”
The football match, a part of Euro 2024 qualifiers, between Belgium and Sweden had to be abandoned following the tragic shoot-out.
Security on the borders of Belgium has been significantly bolstered, and France remains vigilant, as revealed by French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin.
A possible connection with terrorism is being probed into as a potential motive for the shootings, according to Eric Van Duyse, the federal prosecutor’s office spokesperson. Clues hinting at such an association came in the form of a recorded message by a person claiming to be the offender, influenced by the Islamic State.
Whereabouts of the suspect remain uncertain, and Van Duyse offered no comment on whether the act involved more than one person. He confirmed that the suspect is still evading capture. An emergency provision of security surrounded the Swedish supporters at the football match, indicative of the gravity of the situation.
