2 People Killed In Armed Attack In Belgium: Euro 2024 Qualifying Match Interrupted
A person opened fire in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, killing 2 Swedish citizens who were in the city to watch the EURO 2024 qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden. The match was postponed because Swedish soccer players who learned about the attack did not want to play the second half.
Brussels, the capital of Belgium, was shaken by the horror of an armed attack.
According to local media reports, at around 19.15 local time, a person wearing an orange jacket opened fire randomly with a gun on a street near Sainctelette Square, where he came on his motorcycle.
In the footage, it was seen that the suspect got off his motorcycle after firing a few shots, entered a building, continued shooting there and disappeared from sight.
It was learned that 2 people who died as a result of the attack were Swedish citizens who came to watch the match between Belgium and Sweden national teams as part of EURO 2024 qualifiers.
Information on how many people were injured in the attack, which took place 5 kilometers from King Baudouin Stadium, is not yet available.
Hazard code raised to the highest level
Many police, ambulances and fire brigades were dispatched to the scene.
The danger level in Brussels was raised to the highest level (level 4), while in other parts of the country it was set as level 3.
It was learned that the Federal Prosecutor’s Office considered the incident as a terrorist attack and launched an operation.
The attacker has not been caught yet.
Belgium-Sweden match suspended due to terror attack
UEFA said in a statement that the match, whose first half was completed, was suspended due to the possibility of a terrorist attack.
It was also emphasized that the decision was made after the approval of the two teams and a meeting with the security forces.
The Swedish press reported that the Swedish national players informed the referee of their request not to play in the second half of the match, and that the Belgian players also approved this situation.
The Belgian press, on the other hand, stated that since the attacker had not been caught yet, the fans were urged to stay in the stands over the loudspeaker.
Sweden took the lead with Gyökeres’ goal in the 15th minute, but Belgium equalized in the 31st minute when Lukaku scored from the penalty spot and the first half ended in a 1-1 draw.
