Terrorist shoots football fans in Brussels during Belgium v Sweden Euro game

Two Swedish football fans have been killed in Brussels, allegedly by a man claiming to represent terrorist group ISIS.

Two football fans have been shot dead in Brussels, allegedly by a man claiming to be represent terrorist group ISIS.

The victims, both wearing Sweden football shirts, were killed about 7pm (local time) about 4.5km from the King Baudouin Stadium where Sweden was playing against Belgium in a Euro qualifier match.

A third person is seriously injured.

The alleged gunman in a fluorescent orange jacket shot at someone in the entrance of a building using an automatic rifle and then fired at two people in a taxi.

He then fled the scene, according to a video shared by Flemish newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws.

He was heard shouting, “Allahu Akabar” – God is the greatest, witnesses said.

A video claiming responsibility for the shooting was circulating on social media, in which a man speaks Arabic, a source close to the case said.

The alleged shooter reportedly said he killed the men in the name of ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant), an Islamist terrorist group.

The man has been identified by local media as Abdesalem L, a 45-year-old Tunisian national living in Brussels. He had reportedly become radicalised and posted support for extremism online.

The terror alert level has been raised to 4 in Brussels, while Belgium’s level has been raised to 3.

The suspect said to be involved in the shootings.

Harrowing footage showed the attack. Picture: Supplied

A Gunman in the Belgian Capital City of Brussels, who announced his Allegence to ISIS and stated his need to “Avenge Muslims” has reportedly Killed at least 2 Swedish Nationals and Injured many other Civilians with a Massive Manhunt currently underway by Belgian Police to find… pic.twitter.com/rhhzkfrgu9

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 16, 2023

A massive manhunt has been launched to find the alleged shooter, who is still on the run.

A spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office told AFP that an investigation had been opened but did not speculate on the gunman’s motive.

Footage showed people running from the scene after a man opened fire with shouting in Arabic.

In the video, he claimed to have killed three people from Sweden.

In the name of Allah, this is a message from the soldiers of the Islamic State.

The Islamic State will remain despite your laws.

We live for our religion and we die for our religion,”

says Brussels terrorist in a FB message before killing two people.
pic.twitter.com/cOYd0lWGE2

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 16, 2023

A police perimeter at the site of a shooting incident in the Ieperlaan - Boulevard d'Ypres, in Brussels. Picture: AFP

Belgian police officers from the forensic service search for evidence in a street after two people were killed during a shooting in Brussels. Picture: AFP

Swedish supporters react as they wait in the stand during the Euro 2024 qualifying football match between Belgium and Sweden. Picture: AFP

The match between Belgium and Sweden has since been suspended with officials locking down the stadium.

Journalists in the Roi Baudouin stadium in Brussels said fans were being kept in the ground, and the UEFA website said the match had been halted at one goal apiece.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said the attack that left two dead on Monday evening was “despicable” and vowed unity against terrorism.

“Tonight, my thoughts are with the families of the two victims of the despicable attack in Brussels,” the European Commission president said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“I extend my heartfelt support to the Belgian police, so they swiftly apprehend the suspect. Together, we stand united against terror.”

Wadea Al-Fayoume was allegedly killed by Joseph M. Czuba.

The attack may have been motivated by revenge following the killing of a Palestinian boy in the US on Saturday.

The gunman is reported to have said he wanted to avenge the boy’s death, the Daily Mail reports.

Wadea Al-Fayoume, 6, was stabbed 26 times with a large military-style knife in Plainfield, near Chicago on Saturday, police said.

The 71-year-old man accused of killing the boy allegedly yelled “you Muslims must die” before stabbing him.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo slammed a “harrowing attack” in Brussels.

“I have just offered my sincere condolences to the Swedish PM following tonight’s harrowing attack on Swedish citizens in Brussels,” De Croo wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Our thoughts are with the families and friends who lost their loved ones. As close partners the fight against terrorism is a joint one.”

– with AFP