The terrorist believed behind the killing of two Swedish fans in Brussels on Monday, October 16 during the Euro 2024 qualifier between Belgium and Sweden at King Baudouin Stadium has reportedly been shot.
According to BBC News, the suspect who is believed to be a 45-year-old Tunisian extremist simply named Abdesalem was shot in a café in the Schaerbeek neighbourhood by the Police after a manhunt was launched in the Belgian capital. The said man later died from the gunshot injury in a hospital.
Annelies Verlinden, the Interior Minister of Belgium, stated on Tuesday that “we have the good news that we found the individual”.
She claimed that the gun thought to have been used by the terrorist for the killings before Belgium’s game against Sweden on Monday night has been found.
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“It seems indeed the suspect has been neutralised,” the Belgian capital’s mayor Philippe Close told BFM TV, as quoted by SkySports.
UEFA called off the game at halftime due to the event, which the Prime Minister of the nation, Alexander De Croo referred to as a “brutal terrorist attack”.
The terrorist attack resulted in the deaths of two Swedish fans and severe injuries to the third. The capital is now under an unprecedented degree of terror alert, according to Belgian authorities.
“Last night three people left for what was supposed to be a wonderful soccer party.”
“The perpetrator targeted specifically Swedish supporters who were in Brussels to attend a Red Devils soccer match. Two Swedish compatriots passed away. A third person is recovering from severe injuries,” De Croo said.
The incident happened three miles (5 km) from the stadium, around 45 minutes before kickoff.
At halftime, the game was delayed with a scoreline of 1-1. Spectators were instructed to stay inside the King Baudouin Stadium “until security permits them to leave”.
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Inside Belgium’s national stadium, supporters waited and yelled “All together, All together,” with multitudes from both sides also shouting “Sweden, Sweden!” Just after midnight local time, the 35,000 fans were eventually permitted to depart in groups.
The Belgian national FA wrote on their official X account about the terrorist attack: “We are still devastated by what happened in our capital on Monday.
“We want to thank all the fans in the stadium for their understanding and support in these difficult circumstances. Our thoughts are with the Swedish, we hope everyone gets home safely.
The Swedish FA also wrote on their X handle describing the incident as shocking and horrific.
“Swedish football has sadness.
“Yesterday we tragically lost two blue and yellow supporters, on-site in Brussels to do something that should be a matter of course – to support our Swedish national team in the blue and yellow national team shirt.
“Our thoughts go out to all the loved ones of the victims.”
The terrorist attack in Brussels has raised concerns about security protocols at international sporting events. It’s likely that a reevaluation of safety measures will occur, potentially impacting the way such events are organized in the future.
In response to the terrorist attack, all nations are expected to start implementing enhanced security measures for future sporting events and public gatherings. These measures include increased police presence, stricter security checks, and improved surveillance around the city hosting sports events.
By Habeeb Kuranga
