BRUSSELS: Two Swedish nationals were shot to death and a third person was wounded in central Brussels on Monday night, and a man who identified himself as a member of the Islamic State claimed responsibility in a video posted online.
The suspected assailant fled the scene after the shooting as a football match between Belgium and Sweden was about to start, triggering a massive manhunt and prompting Belgium to raise its terror alert to the highest level.
A Belgian federal prosecutor said there was no evidence that the attacker, who was still on the loose, had any link to the recent renewed conflict between Israel and Palestinian.
The likely motive for the attack was the Swedish nationality of the victims, the prosecutor said.
Sweden in August raised its terror alert to the second-highest level, warning of an increase in threats against Swedish interests abroad, after Koran burnings and other acts in Sweden against Islam's holiest text outraged Muslims and triggered threats from jihadists.
The suspected assailant, calling himself Abdesalem Al Guilani, claimed in a video on social media that he was a fighter for Allah. The federal prosecutor said the third victim, who was wounded but whose condition was not in life-threatening, was a taxi driver. The prosecutor called on Brussels' residents to stay indoors until the threat was over. European Commission staff were also advised to stay indoors.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo confirmed on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, the victims were Swedish.
"I have just offered my sincere condolences to the Swedish PM following tonight’s harrowing attack on Swedish citizens in Brussels," de Croo said on X.
"Our thoughts are with the families and friends who lost their loved ones. As close partners, the fight against terrorism is a joint one," he said.
Sweden's Justice minister, Gunnar Strommer, told Reuters the government was working intensively with Belgian authorities to get more information about what happened.
All Swedes in Belgium will receive a text message sent to their phones urging them to be vigilant and to follow instructions from Belgian authorities, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said.
Belgium's interior minister said the investigation was in the hands of a federal prosecutor because of "a possible terrorist motive."
One Belgian newspaper said it was likely that the victims were two soccer supporters. Belgium were hosting Sweden in a Euro 2024 qualifying match on Monday evening. The match was suspended at halftime because of security reasons.
The shooting comes at a time of heightened security concerns in some European countries linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. France is deploying 7,000 extra troops onto its streets after a teacher was fatally stabbed on Friday in an attack President Emmanuel Macron condemned as "barbaric Islamic terrorism."
Video footage of the Brussels attack posted on the Het Laatste Nieuws newspaper website showed a man in an orange jacket on a scooter at a street intersection with a rifle first firing two shots, then three more, then running into a building, firing two more shots, leaving, taking a few steps back again and shooting one more time.
One Belgium newspaper said a witness said the shooter shouted "Allahu Akbar" before the shots were fired.
According to a media transcript of the video message recorded by the self-declared perpetrator, he said:
"Islamic greeting Allahu Akbar. My name is Abdesalem Al Guilani and I am a fighter for Allah. I am from the Islamic State. We love who loves us and we hate who hates us. We live for our religion and we die for our religion. Alhamdulah. Your brother took revenge in the name of Muslims. I have killed 3 Swedes so far Al hamdoulelah. 3 Swedish, yes. Those to whom I have done something wrong, may they forgive me. And I forgive everyone. Salam Aleykoum."
France is tightening controls at the border with Belgium after the deadly attack in Brussels, Belgian media said.
Belgium's crisis centre warned the public not to make any unnecessary trips in the capital.
Reuters
Tue Oct 17 2023
Emergency personnel carry a person on a stretcher outside King Baudouin Stadium after play was suspended after a shooting in Brussels, Belgium, October 17, 2023. - REUTERS/Yves Herman
'It starts now': South Korea's President Yoon defiant as police closed in
Yoon Suk-Yeol remains in detention and is refusing to talk to investigators.
Japanese woman charged with concealing baby's birth
Noda Junko pleaded not guilty to a charge of concealing the birth of a baby girl by dumping the infant in a shopping mall toilet in Cheras.
ASEAN Sec-Gen attends 4th ADGMIN + U.S. meeting
ADGMIN the U.S. is a series of meetings between the ASEAN Digital Ministers' Meeting (ADGMIN) and the United States.
Najib admits relying on Jho Low's assistance despite doubts and discomfort
Najib reveals that on March 6, 2015, Tan Sri Tong Kooi Ong told him Jho Low was guilty of wrongdoing and should be investigated.
Malaysia, UK strengthen trade and investment ties in inaugural ministerial-led Joint Economic and Trade Committee meeting
The UK was Malaysia's 21st-largest trading partner from January to November 2024 and the fourth-largest trading partner in Europe.
448 children from GISB homes returned to their families - Nancy
Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri assures parents wishing to reclaim their children need not worry and encouraged them to approach the ministry.
TikTok's fight against going dark gains support from key US lawmakers
The prospect of a TikTok ban has already triggered some users to seek alternatives.
China's population falls for a third consecutive year
The National Bureau of Statistics says the total number of people in China dropped by 1.39 million to 1.408 billion in 2024.
Hardline Israeli minister Ben-Gvir threatens to quit over Gaza deal
Itamar Ben-Gvir says he would resign from Netanyahu's govt if it ratifies the ceasefire deal in Gaza, which he has strongly opposed.
US says Gaza ceasefire to start as planned despite 'loose end'
We're tying up that loose end as we speak, says Antony Blinken.
Meta's 'Community Notes' model will not apply to paid ads
Community Notes on Meta Platforms will be enabled for organic content, posts that Meta hasn't been paid to promote.
South Korea investigators to file request to extend President Yoon's detention
Investigators must request court approval for a detention warrant to hold Yoon Suk-Yeol in custody for up to 20 more days.
Israel set to approve Gaza ceasefire, hostage deal, Netanyahu's office says
The security cabinet would meet on Friday before a full meeting of the cabinet later to approve the deal, Netanyahu's office says.
Bird feathers, blood found in both engines of crashed jet in South Korea, source says
Two minutes before the pilot declared the Mayday emergency call, air traffic control had urged caution due to "bird activity" in the area.
TNB’s UK venture in RE to benefit Malaysia in tech transfer - PM
The Prime Minister emphasises that Malaysia is actively seeking new investments in the RE sector, driven by robust economic growth.
PM visits Battersea Power Station, Malaysia’s iconic and largest investment in UK
Battersea Power Station is one of Europe's largest regeneration projects.
Meta in final process to obtain ASP Class Licence - Fahmi
The Communications Minister is also in talks with Microsoft as LinkedIn's Malaysian users may surpass 8 mln in the first quarter of 2025.
What can Trump do through executive orders?
An executive order is an order issued unilaterally by the president that has the force of law.
How many Palestinians has Israel's Gaza offensive killed?
This explainer examines how the Palestinian toll is calculated, how reliable it is, the breakdown of civilians and fighters killed.
How a TikTok ban would work - and why user workarounds won't
At best, users might be able to access a web-based version of the service that has fewer features than the app and even that might not work.