Brussels put on maximum alert on the risk of Paris-like attack

Brussels, November 21 

Belgium put the capital Brussels on maximum security alert on Saturday, shutting the metro and warning people to avoid crowds because of a “serious and imminent” threat of coordinated, multiple attacks by militants.

A week after the Paris bombings and shootings carried out by Islamic State militants, of whom one suspect from Brussels is at large and said by the police to be highly dangerous, Brussels was placed on the top level “four” in the government’s threat scale after a meeting of top ministers, police and security services.

Soldiers were on guard in parts of Brussels, including at the institutions of the European Union headquartered in the city. Brussels is also home to the headquarters of NATO.

“The result of relatively precise information pointed to the risk of an attack along the lines of what took take place in Paris,” Prime Minister Charles Michel told a news conference on Saturday. 

“We are talking about the threat that several individuals with arms and explosives would launch an attack perhaps in several locations at the same time,” Michel said.

The metro system is to remain closed until then, in line with recommendation of the government’s crisis centre. Major shopping centres and stores centre did open on Saturday morning, with soldiers deployed outside shops. However, many began closing their doors from around midday. The crisis centre advised the public to avoid places where a lot of people come, such as shopping centres, concerts, sports events or public transport hubs. The city’s museums were shut and concert venues cancelled planned evening events.

The agency has called on local authorities to cancel large events and postpone soccer matches, as well as stepping up the military and police presence. — Reuters