According to authorities, two Swedish nationals were shot and killed in Brussels as a football match between Belgium and Sweden was scheduled for Monday night
As a result, Belgium upped its terror alert level to the highest level.
Police are on the trail of a man suspected of being an Islamic terrorist after witnesses said he shouted “Allahu Akbar” before opening fire.
Witnesses cited by “Le Soir” report seeing an armed individual wearing an orange jacket fleeing on a scooter.
He allegedly shot first in the lobby of a building and then at two people who were in a taxi.
According to the Belgian media, the victims were two Swedes, who were wearing the jersey of their representative.
The armed attack happened about 5 kilometers from the stadium where the match was taking place, near Sainctelette Plein, north of the city center.
From the Kalashnikov shooting, it was learned that in addition to the two killed, another person was also injured.
The incident happened around 19:15 near Place Sainctelette. Police forces and emergency services have arrived at the scene. No suspect has been arrested, while the police are looking for the suspect.
In several videos posted on social networks, the suspect claims to belong to the Islamic State. “We live for our religion, we die for our religion, thank God”, he says in one of them.
In a recent video, posted on his Facebook profile, the man says: ” Thank God, your brother Abdesalam took revenge on the Muslims, I killed three Swedes just now “, while the police confirm two were killed and one wounded.
Antoine Iseux, spokesperson of the national crisis center, contacted by “Le Soir” said that the situation is being monitored.
“At the moment, the file is still being followed by the public prosecution of Brussels”, he explains.
The Prime Minister, the Minister of the Interior, and the Minister of Justice are currently in the area to monitor the situation.
The Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo spoke clearly about a ” cowardly attack against Swedish citizens “. He expressed his condolences to Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
“Our thoughts are with the families and friends who have lost loved ones. As close partners, the fight against terrorism is a common fight”, said the head of the Belgian government to the Swedish prime minister, Kristersson.
While the incident took place at the King Baudouin Stadium, a soccer match between Belgium and Sweden was taking place. A match which was interrupted in the first half after the Swedish players refused to return to the field, following the news that two fans were killed in a terrorist act.