2 Dead in Brussels Shooting Incident... "Perpetrator Claims to Be Former IS Member"

Two Deaths Among 'Soccer Fans' Swedish Nationals
Europe on Edge Over Islamic Terrorism

On the 16th (local time) in downtown Brussels, Belgium, an unidentified man opened fire, killing two Swedes. While the authorities have not yet apprehended the suspect, a man claiming responsibility for the attack and asserting that he is from the Islamic State (IS) posted a video on social media, prompting Brussels to raise its terror alert to the highest level.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

According to The Guardian, AP News, and other sources, around 7:15 p.m. that day, a man on a scooter ran into the entrance of a building near Sainte-Catherine Square in downtown Brussels and fired at people from close range. A witness told local foreign media that the man shouted "Allahu Akbar (God is greatest)" in Arabic before opening fire. After the attack, the suspect fled on the scooter.

The man who claimed responsibility in the video posted on social media said, "I am a warrior for Allah from IS" and claimed to have killed three Swedes.

Belgian security authorities raised the terror alert to the highest level, level 4. Considering the possibility of further harm as the suspect has not yet been arrested, the authorities urged local residents to stay indoors.

According to Belgian security authorities, two people died and one was injured in the shooting. The two Swedes who died were reportedly football fans wearing the Swedish national football team jersey.

At a football stadium about 5 km from the scene of the incident, the Belgium and Sweden national football teams were competing for qualification for the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship (Euro 2024). The match was suspended after the first half due to the shooting incident. AP reported that the approximately 35,000 spectators at the stadium were not allowed to leave for several hours after the match was halted and had to wait outside.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo expressed condolences to the Swedish Prime Minister in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that day, saying, "I expressed my condolences to the Swedish Prime Minister for the horrific attack on Swedish citizens that occurred today in Brussels," and added, "As close allies, the fight against terrorism is a common fight."

In Europe, concerns about increased security threats are rising as anti-Semitic attacks in the region have increased amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas, and tensions remain high.

French President Emmanuel Macron said, "Just minutes ago, Brussels was once again hit by an Islamic terrorist attack," adding, "Europe is shocked by the attack on Brussels." Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, described the attack as a "vile attack" and said, "We will unite together to stand against terrorism."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.