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
![Two Swedes shot dead in Brussels, Belgium raises terror alert to top level Two Swedes shot dead in Brussels, Belgium raises terror alert to top level](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-10/51697516987_TBBrussels.jpg)
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
IOC tolak khabar angin pembatalan Sukan Olimpik Paris
Jawatankuasa Olimpik Antarabangsa (IOC) menolak "khabar angin" mengenai pembatalan atau penangguhan Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024 berikutan situasi politik di Perancis. IOC menyatakan ia adalah sebahagian daripada kempen maklumat palsu.
Warga London berharap tapi tidak optimis
Penduduk di London mempunyai pandangan dan jangkaan yang bercampur baur dengan sebilangan berasa optimistik dengan keputusan yang bakal diterima manakala yang lain mengatakan mereka tidak akan mengundi.
Parti Buruh diramalkan tewaskan Konservatif pimpinan Sunak
Tinjauan pendapat meletakkan parti Starmer di landasan untuk mendapatkan kemenangan besar tetapi juga mencadangkan ramai pengundi hanya mahukan perubahan selepas tempoh perbalahan dan pergolakan di bawah Konservatif
Enam ditahan kes rempuhan di utara India
Insiden itu berlaku pada Selasa (2 Julai) di kampung Phulrai Mughal Garhi, di daerah Hathras, di mana kira-kira 250,000 orang berkumpul untuk mendengar ceramah seorang pendakwah terkenal.
Levi majikan hanya digunakan untuk latihan kemahiran - PSMB
PSMB menegaskan bahawa levi majikan sememangnya hanya digunakan untuk tujuan latihan pekerja mereka sahaja selama ini.
Enakmen Lembah Klang Raya dibentang tahun hadapan - Amirudin
Enakmen Lembah Klang Raya Selangor dijangka dibentang dan dibahaskan di Dewan Undangan Negeri Selangor pada tahun hadapan, kata Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
Noh Omar sah sertai Bersatu berkuat kuasa serta-merta
Bekas Pengerusi UMNO Selangor, Tan Sri Noh Omar sah menyertai Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) berkuat kuasa serta-merta.
Lelaki ditahan didakwa laku gangguan seksual ketika kempen
Suspek direman selama dua hari untuk siasatan lanjut dan polis memberi jaminan akan menjalankan siasatan secara terperinci.
Muhyiddin dapatkan khidmat Peguam Diraja
Bekas Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin mendapatkan khidmat Peguam Diraja (King’s Counsel) untuk menyertai barisan pembelaannya dalam usaha beliau membatalkan keputusan Mahkamah Rayuan yang mengembalikan empat pertuduhan salah guna kuasa terhadapnya.
Dua polis parah, seorang suspek maut
Ketua Polis Daerah Muar ACP Raiz Mukhliz Azman Aziz berkata melalui siasatan awal, pihaknya mendapati dua anggota polis berkenaan sedang dalam tugasan rondaan dan cuba menahan kereta dinaiki suspek, untuk tujuan pemeriksaan.
![Euro 2024: Perancis tewaskan Belgium untuk mara ke suku akhir Euro 2024: Perancis tewaskan Belgium untuk mara ke suku akhir](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81719896427_Euro.jpg)
Euro 2024: Perancis tewaskan Belgium untuk mara ke suku akhir
Perancis mengesahkan slot ke suku akhir selepas memanfaatkan gol sendiri Jan Vertonghen dalam kemenangan 1-0 ke atas Belgium pada pusingan 16 Euro 2024 di Merkur Spiel-Arena, Dusseldorf pada Isnin.
![Kalah teruk dalam pilihan raya EU, PM Belgium letak jawatan Kalah teruk dalam pilihan raya EU, PM Belgium letak jawatan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/71717981524_AlexanderDeCroo.jpg)
Kalah teruk dalam pilihan raya EU, PM Belgium letak jawatan
Alexander De Croo meletakkan jawatan selepas partinya mengalami kekalahan teruk dalam Pilihan Raya Parlimen Eropah (EU).
![Olimpik Paris: Nur Aisyah berkampung di Belgium Olimpik Paris: Nur Aisyah berkampung di Belgium](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/41714972623_NurAisyahPelumba.jpg)
Olimpik Paris: Nur Aisyah berkampung di Belgium
Pelumba berbasikal lebuh raya wanita negara, Nur Aisyah Mohamad Zubir bakal berada di Belgium mulai 25 Mei ini menjelang Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024.
![Euro 2024: England hilang khidmat Harry Maguire, Kyle Walker Euro 2024: England hilang khidmat Harry Maguire, Kyle Walker](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/81711332412_TBEnglandjpg.jpg)
Euro 2024: England hilang khidmat Harry Maguire, Kyle Walker
Pada Sabtu, anak buah Gareth Southgate itu mengalami kekalahan pertama mereka dalam tempoh 15 bulan.
![Mohamad Hasan hadir AEMM ke-24 dan EU IPMF ketiga di Brussels Mohamad Hasan hadir AEMM ke-24 dan EU IPMF ketiga di Brussels](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-02/61706785218_TBPTD.jpg)
Mohamad Hasan hadir AEMM ke-24 dan EU IPMF ketiga di Brussels
Menteri Luar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan akan menghadiri Mesyuarat Menteri-menteri Luar ASEAN-Kesatuan Eropah (AEMM) kali ke-24 di Brussels, Belgium.
![Belgium ikrar sokong kes genosid difailkan Afrika Selatan terhadap Israel Belgium ikrar sokong kes genosid difailkan Afrika Selatan terhadap Israel](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/51705811313_TBCAROLINE.jpg)
Belgium ikrar sokong kes genosid difailkan Afrika Selatan terhadap Israel
Menteri itu berjanji akan meneruskan komitmen untuk memastikan penghantaran bantuan kemanusiaan ke Gaza dengan segera di semua peringkat.
![Belgium tidak boleh berdiam diri lihat keganasan Israel di Gaza Belgium tidak boleh berdiam diri lihat keganasan Israel di Gaza](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/51704841153_TBPetraDeSutter.jpg)
Belgium tidak boleh berdiam diri lihat keganasan Israel di Gaza
Belgium harus ikut langkah Afrika Selatan mohon ICJ menyiasat jenayah genosid yang didakwa dilakukan oleh Israel di Gaza.
![Wanita meninggal dunia dihempap pokok Krismas di pasar Belgium Wanita meninggal dunia dihempap pokok Krismas di pasar Belgium](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-12/71703250250_firefighter.jpg)
Wanita meninggal dunia dihempap pokok Krismas di pasar Belgium
Seorang wanita maut selepas pokok Krismas setinggi 20 meter tumbang menimpanya di pasar Krismas di Belgium pada Khamis.
![Kelayakan Euro 2024: Aksi Belgium-Sweden ditangguh susulan dua orang ditembak mati di Brussels Kelayakan Euro 2024: Aksi Belgium-Sweden ditangguh susulan dua orang ditembak mati di Brussels](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-10/41697505260_belgiumsweden.jpg)
Kelayakan Euro 2024: Aksi Belgium-Sweden ditangguh susulan dua orang ditembak mati di Brussels
Ia susulan kejadian tembakan pada petang Isnin, yang disifatkan pihak berkuasa sebagai keganasan.
![Ugut bunuh perdana menteri, Belgium buru bekas tentera Ugut bunuh perdana menteri, Belgium buru bekas tentera](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-08/51661288633_AlexanderDeCroo.jpg)
Ugut bunuh perdana menteri, Belgium buru bekas tentera
Belgium melancarkan siasatan pada Jumaat selepas catatan media sosial seorang bekas anggota tentera mengancam untuk membunuh Perdana Menteri Alexander De Croo.