Two people were killed and two others were severely injured on Thursday (June 27) in a shooting incident reported at an area known for drug trafficking near the Gare de Midi train station in Brussels, police said.

The incident took place between 1:00 and 2:00 am near a cafe in the Saint Gilles district of the Belgian capital. While the suspect fled the crime scene, a police spokesman said.

Three people were wounded during the shooting; two are in a life-threatening condition, while the third one is stable, according to the police department.

In a recent crackdown on drug trafficking, Brussels officials identified Saint-Gilles as one of 15 drug hotspots across the capital's 19 municipalities.

However, the police have not so far established a link between the shooting and the city's illegal drugs trade. 
Judicial officials were due to make a statement later on Thursday.

In recent years, Belgium has witnessed a rise in gun violence linked to rivalries between drug trafficking gangs.

(With inputs from agencies)

Two people were killed and two others were severely injured on Thursday (June 27) in a shooting incident reported at an area known for drug trafficking near the Gare de Midi train station in Brussels, police said.

Two people were killed and two others were severely injured on Thursday (June 27) in a shooting incident reported at an area known for drug trafficking near the Gare de Midi train station in Brussels, police said. The incident took place between 1:00 and 2:00 am near a cafe in the Saint Gilles district of the Belgian capital. While the suspect fled the crime scene, a police spokesman said. Three people were wounded during the shooting; two are in a life-threatening condition, while the third one is stable, according to the police department. In a recent crackdown on drug trafficking, Brussels officials identified Saint-Gilles as one of 15 drug hotspots across the capital's 19 municipalities. However, the police have not so far established a link between the shooting and the city's illegal drugs trade. Judicial officials were due to make a statement later on Thursday. In recent years, Belgium has witnessed a rise in gun violence linked to rivalries between drug trafficking gangs. (With inputs from agencies)

Two dead, two gravely wounded in Brussels shooting

Two people were killed during a shooting incident in Brussels on Monday (Oct 17) evening and the suspect was on the run, the Belgian capital's prosecutor's office said. The alleged gunman in a fluorescent orange jacket fled the scene after using an automatic rifle, according to a video shared by the Flemish newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The deceased individuals have been identified as two Swedish nationals and the incident occurred right before Belgium was set to host Sweden in a Euro 2023 qualifying match on Monday (Oct 17) evening.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/belgium-vs-sweden-euro-qualifier-suspended-after-shooting-incident-in-brussels-647732">Belgium-Sweden Euro qualifier suspended after shooting incident in Brussels</a>&nbsp;

<h2>Who is the suspect?&nbsp;</h2>

A video which surfaced on social media shortly after the incident showed a man in an orange motorbike outfit speaking in Arabic and claiming he carried out the attack in the name of God.&nbsp;

The man described his allegiance to the Islamic State terrorist group. He said in the video that he was targeting Swedes because of their disrespect for the Quran.&nbsp;

The suspect can also be heard saying that he was motivated by the killing of a six-year-old Muslim boy in Illinois. The boy was stabbed to death by his landlord, allegedly because of his religion. The 71-year-old Joseph M. Czuba was arrested and charged with murder and hate crimes.

Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws claimed that the victims were likely two football supporters. &nbsp;

<img alt="Swedish supporters react as they wait in the stand during the Euro 2024 qualifying football match between Belgium and Sweden at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on October 16, 2023, after an 'attack' that targeted Swedish citizens in a street of Brussels | AFP" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e12995a6-967a-4af4-aa59-b36bb0546e4b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-10-17T015842.374.png" />

Swedish supporters react as they wait in the stand during the Euro 2024 qualifying football match between Belgium and Sweden at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels after an 'attack' that targeted Swedish citizens in a street of Brussels | AFP&nbsp;

Reacting to the shooting incident, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo described it as a "harrowing attack".&nbsp;

"I have just offered my sincere condolences to the Swedish PM following tonight's harrowing attack on Swedish citizens in Brussels," De Croo said 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."&nbsp;

European Union Chief Ursula von der Leyen also slammed the 'despicable' Brussels attack.&nbsp;

"Tonight, my thoughts are with the families of the two victims of the despicable attack in Brussels. I extend my heartfelt support to the Belgian police, so they swiftly apprehend the suspect. Together, we stand united against terror," Von der Leyen wrote on X.&nbsp;

French President Emmanuel Macron said: "Europe has been shaken."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Two people were killed during a shooting incident in Brussels on Monday (Oct 17) evening and the suspect was on the run, the Belgian capital's prosecutor's office said.

Two people were killed during a shooting incident in Brussels on Monday (Oct 17) evening and the suspect was on the run, the Belgian capital's prosecutor's office said. The alleged gunman in a fluorescent orange jacket fled the scene after using an automatic rifle, according to a video shared by the Flemish newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws. The deceased individuals have been identified as two Swedish nationals and the incident occurred right before Belgium was set to host Sweden in a Euro 2023 qualifying match on Monday (Oct 17) evening. Also read | Belgium-Sweden Euro qualifier suspended after shooting incident in Brussels Who is the suspect? A video which surfaced on social media shortly after the incident showed a man in an orange motorbike outfit speaking in Arabic and claiming he carried out the attack in the name of God. The man described his allegiance to the Islamic State terrorist group. He said in the video that he was targeting Swedes because of their disrespect for the Quran. The suspect can also be heard saying that he was motivated by the killing of a six-year-old Muslim boy in Illinois. The boy was stabbed to death by his landlord, allegedly because of his religion. The 71-year-old Joseph M. Czuba was arrested and charged with murder and hate crimes. Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws claimed that the victims were likely two football supporters. Swedish supporters react as they wait in the stand during the Euro 2024 qualifying football match between Belgium and Sweden at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels after an 'attack' that targeted Swedish citizens in a street of Brussels | AFP Reacting to the shooting incident, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo described it as a "harrowing attack". "I have just offered my sincere condolences to the Swedish PM following tonight's harrowing attack on Swedish citizens in Brussels," De Croo said 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." European Union Chief Ursula von der Leyen also slammed the 'despicable' Brussels attack. "Tonight, my thoughts are with the families of the two victims of the despicable attack in Brussels. I extend my heartfelt support to the Belgian police, so they swiftly apprehend the suspect. Together, we stand united against terror," Von der Leyen wrote on X. French President Emmanuel Macron said: "Europe has been shaken." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

ISIS terrorist kills 2 in Brussels to 'avenge' murder of 6-year-old Illinois boy

The Group F European qualifier match between&nbsp;Belgium&nbsp;and Sweden was suspended at half-time on Monday after an attack in Brussels left two dead.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belgium-two-killed-in-shooting-incident-in-brussels-suspect-on-run-647715">Belgian PM evokes 'fight against terrorism' after shooting incident killed two in Brussels</a>

Spectators at the King Baudouin stadium in the Belgian capital were told to remain inside the ground following an announcement that the players would not return for the second half.

"Following a suspected terrorist attack in Brussels this evening, it has been decided after consultation with the two teams and the local police authorities, that the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden is abandoned," UEFA said on its website.

Sweden's football association said Belgian police had told supporters "to stay in the arena for security reasons".

Two Swedish nationals were shot dead by a suspect who remains at large, in an attack the Belgian prime minister described as "terrorism".

Several Belgian media outlets said the two individuals killed were wearing the jersey of the Sweden national team.

"Our thoughts go out to all the relatives of those affected in Brussels," a Swedish FA social media post said.

The Belgian national team's account wrote: "Our thoughts are with all those affected."

Belgium, who had already qualified for next year's tournament, had equalised through a Romelu Lukaku penalty after Viktor Gyokeres opened the scoring for Sweden before the match was halted with the score at 1-1.

Belgian media reported that the Swedish players did not want to continue the game after learning of the attack.

Austria had earlier Monday become the eighth team to book their place at the finals in Germany courtesy of a 1-0 win in Azerbaijan in the other Group F game.

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marcel Sabitzer scored a penalty three minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute for Ralf Rangnick's side.

<h2>Perfect Portugal</h2>

Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice as Portugal thrashed Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-0 to maintain their perfect record in Group J.

Ronaldo, 38, extended his men's record international goals tally to 127 after an early penalty was followed by a deft chip that doubled the lead for Portugal in Zenica.

Bruno Fernandes hammered in a third and Joao Cancelo supplied a brilliant finish of his own, with Joao Felix making it five before half-time.

Portugal clinched first place with two games remaining and have scored 32 times and conceded just twice -- both in Friday's 3-2 win over Slovakia which secured qualification.

Slovakia solidified their grip on second place with a 1-0 victory in Luxembourg.

Gylfi Sigurdsson scored twice for Iceland as they stayed in contention with a 4-0 rout of Liechtenstein.

Virgil van Dijk converted a stoppage-time penalty to earn the Netherlands a crucial 1-0 victory away to Greece in Group B.

Wout Weghorst had a first-half spot-kick saved for the Dutch in Athens, but Liverpool defender Van Dijk made no mistake after a foul on Denzel Dumfries.

The Netherlands drew level on 12 points with Greece and have the head-to-head advantage after beating them home and away. Ronald Koeman's team also have a game in hand on their rivals as they bid to wrap up second behind group winners France.

Brighton's rising 18-year-old star Evan Ferguson was among the scorers as the Republic of Ireland dispatched Gibraltar 4-0 in Portugal.

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The Group F European qualifier match between Belgium and Sweden was suspended at half-time on Monday after an attack in Brussels left two dead. Also read | Belgian PM evokes 'fight against terrorism' after shooting incident killed two in Brussels Spectators at the King Baudouin stadium in the Belgian capital were told to remain inside the ground following an announcement that the players would not return for the second half.

The Group F European qualifier match between Belgium and Sweden was suspended at half-time on Monday after an attack in Brussels left two dead. Also read | Belgian PM evokes 'fight against terrorism' after shooting incident killed two in Brussels Spectators at the King Baudouin stadium in the Belgian capital were told to remain inside the ground following an announcement that the players would not return for the second half. "Following a suspected terrorist attack in Brussels this evening, it has been decided after consultation with the two teams and the local police authorities, that the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden is abandoned," UEFA said on its website. Sweden's football association said Belgian police had told supporters "to stay in the arena for security reasons". Two Swedish nationals were shot dead by a suspect who remains at large, in an attack the Belgian prime minister described as "terrorism". Several Belgian media outlets said the two individuals killed were wearing the jersey of the Sweden national team. "Our thoughts go out to all the relatives of those affected in Brussels," a Swedish FA social media post said. The Belgian national team's account wrote: "Our thoughts are with all those affected." Belgium, who had already qualified for next year's tournament, had equalised through a Romelu Lukaku penalty after Viktor Gyokeres opened the scoring for Sweden before the match was halted with the score at 1-1. Belgian media reported that the Swedish players did not want to continue the game after learning of the attack. Austria had earlier Monday become the eighth team to book their place at the finals in Germany courtesy of a 1-0 win in Azerbaijan in the other Group F game. Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marcel Sabitzer scored a penalty three minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute for Ralf Rangnick's side. Perfect Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice as Portugal thrashed Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-0 to maintain their perfect record in Group J. Ronaldo, 38, extended his men's record international goals tally to 127 after an early penalty was followed by a deft chip that doubled the lead for Portugal in Zenica. Bruno Fernandes hammered in a third and Joao Cancelo supplied a brilliant finish of his own, with Joao Felix making it five before half-time. Portugal clinched first place with two games remaining and have scored 32 times and conceded just twice -- both in Friday's 3-2 win over Slovakia which secured qualification. Slovakia solidified their grip on second place with a 1-0 victory in Luxembourg. Gylfi Sigurdsson scored twice for Iceland as they stayed in contention with a 4-0 rout of Liechtenstein. Virgil van Dijk converted a stoppage-time penalty to earn the Netherlands a crucial 1-0 victory away to Greece in Group B. Wout Weghorst had a first-half spot-kick saved for the Dutch in Athens, but Liverpool defender Van Dijk made no mistake after a foul on Denzel Dumfries. The Netherlands drew level on 12 points with Greece and have the head-to-head advantage after beating them home and away. Ronald Koeman's team also have a game in hand on their rivals as they bid to wrap up second behind group winners France. Brighton's rising 18-year-old star Evan Ferguson was among the scorers as the Republic of Ireland dispatched Gibraltar 4-0 in Portugal. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. This is a breaking story. More information will be added soon/

Belgium-Sweden Euro qualifier suspended after shooting incident in Brussels