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Belgium steps up security after Jewish museum shooting | Belgium steps up security after Jewish museum shooting |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Security has been stepped up at Jewish sites across Belgium after a gunman shot dead three people at the Jewish Museum in the capital Brussels. | Security has been stepped up at Jewish sites across Belgium after a gunman shot dead three people at the Jewish Museum in the capital Brussels. |
A man who was detained by police shortly after the attack has been released without charge. A manhunt has been launched for a different suspect. | A man who was detained by police shortly after the attack has been released without charge. A manhunt has been launched for a different suspect. |
A fourth victim remains in a critical condition. | A fourth victim remains in a critical condition. |
Two of the dead were Israeli tourists, a couple in their 50s, Israel's foreign ministry said on Sunday. | Two of the dead were Israeli tourists, a couple in their 50s, Israel's foreign ministry said on Sunday. |
The Belgian prosecutor's office said the victims were struck by bullets in the face or throat and Brussels Mayor Yvan Mayeur said he thought the shooting was probably a "terrorist act". | The Belgian prosecutor's office said the victims were struck by bullets in the face or throat and Brussels Mayor Yvan Mayeur said he thought the shooting was probably a "terrorist act". |
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement strongly condemning the killings which he said were "the result of endless incitement against the Jews and their state". | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement strongly condemning the killings which he said were "the result of endless incitement against the Jews and their state". |
Belgium has a Jewish population of some 42,000, about half of whom live in the capital. | Belgium has a Jewish population of some 42,000, about half of whom live in the capital. |
At the scene: Laurence Peter, BBC News, Brussels | |
People are laying flowers at the entrance to the Jewish Museum, and some candles are burning there too. One old man came up on a mobility scooter to place his bouquet. | |
The museum is in a narrow cobbled street, next to an antiques shop, in the picturesque old Sablon quarter. A police van is parked at the scene now, as TV crews and grim-faced locals mill around. | |
A Catholic priest at the scene said it was a "terrible" attack and he was praying for the victims. | |
While the authorities cannot yet confirm the gunman's motives, Joel Rubinfeld, President of the Belgian League against Anti-Semitism, said he had no doubt this was an anti-Semitic attack. | |
"Yesterday a cold-blooded killer went into the streets with the clear idea of killing Jews," he told the BBC. | |
Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders, who was one of the first people to arrive at the scene, said: "You cannot help think that when we see a Jewish museum, you think of an anti-Semitic act. But the investigation will have to show the causes." | Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders, who was one of the first people to arrive at the scene, said: "You cannot help think that when we see a Jewish museum, you think of an anti-Semitic act. But the investigation will have to show the causes." |
Belgium's Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo said "everything has been mobilised that can be mobilised" to find the killer. | |
It is believed the shooter parked a car outside before entering the museum, firing and leaving the scene quickly. | It is believed the shooter parked a car outside before entering the museum, firing and leaving the scene quickly. |
The attack happened at around 15:50 local time (13:50 GMT) on Saturday in the busy Sablon area of Brussels, which was hosting a three-day jazz festival. | The attack happened at around 15:50 local time (13:50 GMT) on Saturday in the busy Sablon area of Brussels, which was hosting a three-day jazz festival. |
One person was detained after he drove away from the museum around the time of the attack, but Belgian police say the man has now been released and is being treated as a witness. | One person was detained after he drove away from the museum around the time of the attack, but Belgian police say the man has now been released and is being treated as a witness. |
A second suspect left the area on foot and security camera footage is being studied to try to identify the person. | A second suspect left the area on foot and security camera footage is being studied to try to identify the person. |