The 2024 qualifier match of UEFA EURO between Sweden and Belgium was abandoned at half-time following a shooting in Brussels that killed 2 Swedes on Monday. Spectators and fans at the site were asked to stay in the King Baudouin stadium in the Belgian capital for security reasons after the shooting.An announcement was made following the shooting by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) announcing the abandonment of the UEFA match between Belgium and Sweden.The announcement was made on the social media platform X and read “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.”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. Further communication will be made in…— UEFA (@UEFA) October 16, 2023 “Further communication will be made in due course,” the post added.Brussels shootingUncertainty surrounds the shooting, which occurred as Belgium hosted Sweden for a Euro 2024 qualification match. The terror threat level for Brussels was increased after the incident to category 4, the highest level, as per media reports.The suspect is still on the run and has not been apprehended yet as per Belgian media reports. The reason behind this attack is also not yet known.The alleged gunman in a fluorescent orange jacket fled the scene after using an automatic rifle, as per media reports. This incident has put Brussels on its highest terror alert since the alleged gunman remains at large and has been considered a possible terrorist attack by the terror group ISISBelgium leaders express griefPrior to this, Belgium as a whole was level 2. Philippe Close, the mayor of the city, announced on X that police are on the streets to ensure safety to protect the public. “Following the shooting in Brussels, police services are mobilizing to guarantee safety in and around our capital, in collaboration with the Minister of the Interior,” Close said.Naar aanleiding van de schietpartij in Brussel, mobiliseren de politiediensten zich om de veiligheid te garanderen in en rond onze hoofdstad in samenwerking met de minister van binnenlandse zaken @AnneliesVl.— Philippe Close (@PhilippeClose) October 16, 2023 Following the shooting incident, the Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander De Croo, expressed his condolences to relatives of those killed in the Brussels attack.“My deepest condolences to the relatives of this cowardly attack in Brussels. I am closely following the situation, together with the Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs from @CrisiscenterBE. We are monitoring the situation and ask the people of Brussels to be vigilant,” he posted on X.My deepest condolences to the relatives of this cowardly attack in Brussels. I am closely following the situation, together with the Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs from @CrisiscenterBE We are monitoring the situation and ask the people of Brussels to be vigilant.— Alexander De Croo 🇧🇪🇪🇺 (@alexanderdecroo) October 16, 2023 Further details awaited
