In March 2016, jihadist actors carried out a series of coordinated attacks that hit the Brussels airport and the city’s metro network. They had also planned a strike for June during the opening match of the European Championship between France and Romania in Paris, a game held before about 75,000 spectators at the Stade de France.
Local outlets VTM and Het Laatste Nieuws, which had access to the indictment surrounding the Brussels assaults, reported that a truck loaded with explosives targeted the crowd gathered near the football venue. The violence unfolded with devastating effect on the match-day crowd and the surrounding area.
Earlier, in November 2015, amid police operations that led to the arrest of the cell’s sole survivor, Salah Abdeslam, the group had already shown a willingness to strike Belgian and French targets. Attacks occurred at bars, terraces, and a concert hall in Paris, resulting in 131 fatalities and highlighting the scale of the threat associated with the network.
The Brussels plot involved simultaneous assaults on the city’s airport and its metro system, causing extensive casualties. Investigators indicated that the suspects had identified additional targets within Belgium, including critical infrastructure such as a nuclear facility, the port of Antwerp, the military headquarters at Flawinne, and the residence of the prime minister. These findings emerged from the indictment, which also noted the presence of other potential targets in the planning materials and communications tied to the network [citation].
The sequence of events showcased a coordinated approach to mass-casualty operations, underscoring the challenges faced by security forces in disrupting suspected plots before they reached execution. Authorities stressed the importance of rapid investigation, interagency cooperation, and ongoing counterterrorism measures to prevent further harm. The Brussels incidents had a lasting impact on public safety protocols, border controls, and anti-terrorism procedures across Belgium and neighboring states, reinforcing the need for vigilance in high-profile public venues and transport hubs [citation].