Belgium raises terror alert after two Swedes shot in Brussels

Belgium raised its terror alert on Monday after a gunman fatally shot two Swedes in the capital city of Brussels.

The gunman remains at large, according to the Associated Press, and authorities are working to evacuate the King Baudoin Stadium, situated within 3 miles of the site of the shooting. The stadium was hosting a soccer match between Belgium and Sweden, which was halted following the attack.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo confirmed that he had been in contact with the Swedish prime minister about the attack, saying "I have just offered my sincere condolences to [the Swedish prime minister] following tonight's harrowing attack on Swedish citizens in Brussels."

"Our thoughts are with the families and friends who lost their loved ones. As close partners the fight against terrorism is a joint one," he added.

Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib described the episode as a "terrorist attack" and expressed sympathy for the victims and their families.

"Horrified by the terrorist attack which left two victims in the heart of Brussels. All necessary means must be mobilized to combat radicalism. Thoughts for the victims, their loved ones and for our law enforcement," she posted. 

Police confirmed that victims were Swedes but offered few specifics on the shooting. Sweden has faced considerable threats from Islamic extremists over recent high-profile protests that included burnings of the Quran.

The attack further comes amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has prompted international demonstrations in support of both factions and raised concerns of terrorist activity worldwide in the face of a call from Hamas to stage demonstrations backing the terrorist group. Any connection between the shooting and the Quran burnings or the middle-eastern conflict remains unclear.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.