Two Swedes killed in possible terror attack in Brussels

Belgian authorities said that two Swedish nationals were shot and killed in a possible terrorist attack in the country’s capital of Brussels on Monday. 

In a series of X posts, Belgium’s Crisis Center said that a suspect targeted three people outside a soccer stadium in the capital city, resulting in the deaths of two people. Officials also said that the two victims in the attack were targeted because of their nationality. 

“A claim was actually posted on social networks and recorded by a person presenting himself as the attacker,” the service said in an X post. “It says it is inspired by the Islamic state.”

“Based on both the facts and the claim, security measures have been taken urgently in order to best protect Swedish supporters against possible new attacks.”

In a statement, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the main governing body of soccer in Europe, said that it postponed a Euro 2024 qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden due to the incident. 

“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 in its statement. “Further communication will be made in due course.”

The crisis center also said in a separate X post that attendees are being evacuated from the stadium.

The incident comes days after a a teacher was killed, and three others were wounded in a stabbing incident in France as there has been an uptick of political violence in Europe, according to the Washington Post. 

Earlier this summer, SÄPO, also known as the Swedish Security Service, raised its terror alert level after a string of desecrations of the Quran sparked threats and demonstrations, according to the Associated Press.