“Shortly before 6 p.m. the police were informed about an incident in the European district,” said Willemien Baert from the Brussels public prosecutor’s office. “The information received indicates several armed suspects who had barricaded themselves in a building.”
“Various police patrols were dispatched to look for the suspects. Several streets were blocked off as a precaution. Federal police helicopters were also deployed.”
Margot De Clercq lives on Karel Martelstraat, which was closed all evening. “I heard helicopters all evening, but that’s not so unusual in the European district. My roommate then called me and said she wasn’t allowed to come into the street. It was only then that I noticed that the street was cordoned off.”
“There were police cars parked at both ends of the street. As I ventured onto the balcony, a police officer made it very clear that I should go back inside. My roommate was still stuck in the pub.”
Around midnight, the residents of the Karel Martelstraat were allowed to go home again, and the residents of the Boduognatusstraat shortly afterwards. Brussels police confirm two suspects have been arrested.
“Initial indications point to a sale of luxury watches gone wrong. It is suspected that the suspects used firearms,” police said.
