Belgian police ended an overnight manhunt by killing the suspect in a terrorist attack that claimed two Swedish lives in Brussels. The incident unfolded on Monday evening just ahead of a Euro 2024 qualifier between Belgium and Sweden.
Authorities identified Abdesalem Lassoued, 45, as the person involved in the deadly attack. Reports indicate he was shot by officers in a cafe in the Schaerbeek district after authorities moved to halt the threat. This clarification comes from multiple outlets, including BBC, which cited police sources about the confrontation in the cafe.
At Brussels King Baudouin Stadium, fans were confined as police investigated the events in the heart of the city before kickoff. The match was paused at halftime once the seriousness of the surrounding situation became clear, and the stadium doors were closed to keep spectators safe until further notice.
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo spoke about the national impact of the attack, noting that the victims were targeted because of their nationality. He stated that two Swedish fans died and another person sustained serious injuries, while investigators continued to gather evidence in the aftermath.
Inside the stadium, security teams helped manage the crowd, and medical and police escorts were coordinated to ensure the safe departure of the remaining attendees. A member of the Swedish squad commented on the decision to pause play, recognizing the effort of security staff who escorted players and staff to safety. The team had already secured its position, with Belgium having qualified for broader competition status and the match outcome no longer altering the continental standings in this moment of crisis.
Swedish coach Janne Andersson later described the moment of news as surreal. He shared that he and the players agreed unanimously to suspend play out of respect for the victims and their families, underscoring the emotional impact of witnessing such a tragedy during a high-profile sporting event.
This account compiles details from Goal and corroborating outlets, which reported on the sequence of events, the security measures at the stadium, and the official statements issued in the aftermath of the attack.