Brussels railway station: Security forces shoot suspected suicide bomber
What's the story
Belgian officials said a man suspected of being a would-be suicide bomber was shot by soldiers at Brussels Central Station. The man reportedly set off a small explosion which is believed to have caused no injuries. Officials said the suspect was shot dead and that the incident is being treated as a terrorist attack.
Background-I
Timeline of deadly terrorist attacks in Europe in 2017
On June 19, one person was killed and eight injured when a van mowed down Muslim worshippers in Finsbury Park, London. On June 3, three terrorists mowed down pedestrians in a van and went on a knife-attack killing eight people and injuring scores more in London. On May 22, a suicide attack on Manchester arena killed 22 people and injured 59 more.
Background-II
Timeline of terrorist attacks in Europe in 2017 (Continued)
On April 20, a suspected ISIS operative shot dead a policeman on the Champs Elysees, Paris. On April 7, a suspected ISIS terrorist drove a truck down a busy shopping street in Stockholm, Sweden, killing four and injuring 15. On March 22, a man mowed down pedestrians and went on a knife attack on Westminster Bridge, London, killing five people.
What happened
Witness describes chaos after low-intensity explosion
Belgian prosecutors said the suspect was wearing a rucksack and a bomb belt. A railway sorting agent named Nicolas Van Herrewegen said he heard a man creating a commotion. "Then he cried 'Allahu Akbar' and he blew up a wheeled suitcase," he said. "It wasn't exactly a big explosion but the impact was pretty big," he added. "People were running away."
Quote
Witness describes suspect as well-built, tanned man with short hair
Van Herrewegen said the suspect was well-built, tanned and had short hair. He was wearing jeans and a white shirt. "I saw that he [suspect] had something on him because I could see wires emerging, so it may have been a suicide vest."
Aftermath
Brussels station evacuated, trains services suspended
Following the explosion, officials evacuated the station and Grand Palace. Businesses and restaurants were ordered to shut down. Arash Aazami, a witness, said: "Looked around, saw people running in the streets, trying to seek refuge…." Metro train services running through the station were briefly suspended. Another witness said: "I'm happy that no-one was injured and that this was basically a failed attempt."