A gunman suspected of killing two Swedish nationals in a terrorist attack in Brussels remains at large Tuesday as Belgian authorities stepped up security to protect a large contingent of visiting soccer fans.
The deadly shooting Monday came as Belgium hosted Sweden in a Euro 2024 qualifier soccer game at the King Baudouin Stadium 3 miles (5 kilometers) from downtown Brussels, forcing the match to be abandoned at half-time.
In a video posted on social media, a man identifying himself as the gunman claimed “to be inspired by the Islamic State,” a spokesperson for Belgium’s federal prosecutor’s office said, adding “the Swedish nationality of the victims was mentioned as a probable motivation for the act.”
“This person claims to be inspired by Islamic State,” Van Duyse said. “The Swedish nationality of the victims was put forward as the probable motive.” Sweden raised its terror alert to the second-highest level in August after a series of public Quran-burnings by an Iraqi refugee living in Sweden resulted in threats from Islamic militant groups.
"At this time, no element indicates a possible ,” Van Duyse said, offering scant relief on a continent where many nations have increased their vigilance for fear of attacks linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
russels is under its highest-level terror alert tonight after two Swedes were fatally shot in the Belgian capital. Belgium's prime minister said the attacks were linked to terrorism, but didn't give specifics. Police arrived at the scene and sealed off the neighborhood. The gunman is still at large. The shootings happened about three miles from a stadium where thousands of soccer fans were attending a match between Belgium and Sweden.
Poland's opposition parties appear to be on the verge of ousting the country's ruling conservatives. Turnout in Sunday's election was at an all-time high after eight years of divisive policies. The centrist opposition celebrated as the preliminary results came in their favor. Final results are expected tomorrow.
Meanwhile, voters in Ecuador have chosen center-right candidate Daniel Noboa to be their next president. The 35-year-old heir to a banana empire will be the country's youngest leader ever. Supporters celebrated on top of cars after Sunday's run-off and waved flags in the streets of Guayaquil.
he country’s Crisis Center also posted to X asking people not to share images or videos of the incident “out of respect” for the victims
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