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Belgian federal prosecutor says Brussels train station explosion was a foiled 'terrorist attack' Belgian authorities neutralize suspected suicide bomber after botched ‘terrorist attack’
(about 3 hours later)
Belgian soldiers “neutralized” a person reportedly wearing an explosive belt at Brussels Central Station on Tuesday evening. Belgian soldiers have shot dead a suspected suicide bomber after a small explosion echoed through the central train station in Brussels Tuesday evening. No one was injured in what authorities described as an attempted “terrorist attack.”
"We do not know whether the man, whose identity we have yet to confirm, is alive or dead. However, this was a terrorist attack," Eric Van der Sijpt, spokesperson for the Belgian Federal prosecutor told reporters at a press conference. Armed policemen and soldiers in the Belgian capital quickly moved to evacuate passengers from Gare Centrale and nearby surroundings during the busy rush hour period after a “small explosion” resounded through the country’s main train hub at about 20:30 local time. Railway traffic was immediately suspended.
Van der Sijpt later confirmed that the suspect had died and that there were no other casualties in the attack. Witnesses at the scene reported seeing a man in his thirties detonate an explosive device after allegedly shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’. While authorities have yet to give a full account of the incident, Belgian media reports indicate that the explosion heard by bystanders would just have been the detonator of the device that failed to fully detonate.
Crisis Center Belgium have advised that a controlled explosion may have be carried out on the scene by bomb disposal experts. Authorities immediately rushed to the scene and engaged the suspect who is yet to be named.
The Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the country’s national security threat level will remain the same as it had been prior to today’s incident. “The suspect has been neutralized by the military that were present at the scene immediately after the explosion,” Federal prosecutor spokesman, Eric Van Der Sypt told reporters, adding, that “this is considered as a terrorist attack.”
Van Der Sypt noted that there were no other casualties besides the attacker who was confirmed dead shortly after midnight.
The situation was “under control” about an hour after the incident, the federal crisis center said in a tweet. However, the body of the assailant remained at the scene for hours as authorities combed the area.
A van belonging to the assailant was discovered in the vicinity while the Bomb Squad (DOVO) carried out a “controlled detonation” of the explosive belt device allegedly found on the attacker.
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel thanked military and security personnel for their courage and professionalism and confirmed there will be a meeting of the National Security Council tomorrow morning at 9am local time. READ MORE: ‘High level’ ISIS command behind Paris & Brussels terrorist attacks – Belgian prosecutor
Authorities are unsure whether the station will be open tomorrow morning and are considering alternative measures to ease traffic in during the morning rush reports VTM Nieuws. As the investigation continues, the country’s terror alert is set to remain at level 3, the second highest classification. Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel thanked the military and security personnel for their courage and professionalism and confirmed there will be a meeting of the National Security Council Wednesday morning at 9am local time.
Nightlife in the city center appears to have returned to normal after a successful counter-terrorism operation.
Images and video collected from social media show the immediate aftermath of the incident.