Brits have been urged not to travel to Brussels unless absolutely necessary by the British Government.
It comes after the Belgian capital was rocked by a terror attack last night in which two Swedes were killed.
Prior to Sweden’s Euro 2024 qualifier with Belgium, two Swedish fans were shot dead and another was injured. This morning the suspected gunman was shot by police in a cafe and he later died in hospital.
The weapon used to kill the football fans was the same as the weapon found on the Tunisian man gunned down in the cafe in Schaerbeek.
The 45-year-old was shot in the chest, according to reports, but did not die at the scene.
The country’s capital was put on its highest terror threat level, meaning that the “threat is extremely serious”.
The suspected shooter, who was named by police as Abdesalem Lassoued, was believed to be a supporter of ISIS.
On Facebook, he said he was avenging the killing of a US-Palestinian boy that was stabbed to death in Illinois by a 71-year-old man.
Belgian Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden said that the man shot was likely to be the gunman, however it has not be formally confirmed that he was.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo wrote on X, formerly Twitter, to offer “my sincere condolences to the Swedish PM following tonight’s harrowing attack on Swedish citizens in Brussels”.
He added: “Our thoughts are with the families and friends who lost their loved ones. As close partners the fight against terrorism is a joint one.”
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said: “Devastated by the news of two Swedish football supporters murdered in Brussels tonight and a third person being seriously wounded. All my thoughts are with their families and loved ones.
“Swedish authorities work closely with their Belgian partners to find the murderer.”
The FCDO offered advise to Brits, saying: “The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions.
“A shooting took place on Boulevard d’Ypres in central Brussels on 16/10/2023. The authorities have confirmed two fatalities. Avoid the area and follow the advice of local authorities.
“Brussels-Capital Region is now at threat level 4 of 4: avoid all non-essential travel. This is a developing situation – follow the advice of local authorities.”
