Brussels witnessed a tragic shooting early Thursday, resulting in two fatalities and leaving two others critically injured near the Gare de Midi train station, a notorious area for drug trafficking, local police reported.
According to a police spokesperson, the incident occurred between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. in the Saint Gilles district and unfolded near a cafe. The assailant or assailants reportedly fled the scene. Three individuals sustained injuries in total, with two currently in life-threatening condition and a third stabilized, as confirmed by the local police department.
Earlier this year, Brussels authorities identified Saint Gilles among 15 hotspots for drug-related activities across the capital, though police have not yet determined any direct connection between the shooting and the city’s illicit drug trade. We anticipate further updates from judicial officials later in the day.
Belgium has seen an increase in armed violence in recent years, often tied to rivalries among drug trafficking groups. Reports have surfaced of street shootouts in Brussels and Antwerp, a major European entry point for illegally imported cocaine from Latin America.
The security situation remains tense, with previous incidents, such as the 2016 attack on a soldier in Brussels, highlighting ongoing concerns. The federal police confirmed that soldiers on the scene responded to the attack, leading to the perpetrator’s fatal shot.
