Brussels [Belgium]: A suspected terrorist who detonated a suitcase at the Brussels Central Station in a failed terror attack has been identified as a Moroccan national in his 30s who was shot dead by soldiers on patrol.
The man who attempted to detonate an explosive belt, has been identified as a Moroccan national in his 30s, CNN quoted Belgium Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Eric Van Der Sypt, as saying.
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said a suitcase bomb packed with nails and gas bottles could have caused heavy casualties. We have aborted the attack that could have been much worse.
Belgium would not be intimidated by terrorists, Prime Minister Michel added, saying: “We want to defend our liberty.”
Belgian police said the situation at Brussels Central is under control with no other casualties on Tuesday night after what police described as a small explosion.
The man wearing an explosive belt at Brussels Central station ran towards soldiers on patrol shouting “Allahu Akbar” – “God is great” in Arabic – before the blast,Van Der Sypt further said.
“This is considered as a terrorist attack,” said the federal prosecutor’s office spokesman Eric Van Der Sypt. “The suspect has been neutralised by the military that were present at the scene immediately after the explosion,” he said.
Brussels Central Station was evacuated and was closed for Tuesday morning as armed patrols, including two bomb disposal units, surrounded the station. It reopened to travelers on Wednesday morning.
The country will remain at Threat Level 3, meaning there is a serious and real threat, but an imminent attack is not deemed likely, he said.
A concert by the band Coldplay at the King Baudouin Stadium will go ahead Wednesday night as planned, with additional security measures, Michel said. (ANI)