Brussels Locked Down After Terror Threat Level Raised To Maximum

Brussels has been enveloped with security after the Belgian government raised security alert heights on terrorist threats to the highest, caution of the “serious and imminent” likelihood of a Paris-style attack involving

The city’s metro system was closed down on Saturday until Sunday afternoon at the earliest as shops shut, shopping malls were partly shuttered, professional football was cancelled, concerts were called off and music venues, museums, and galleries closed their doors for the weekend.

Military vehicles commonly sighted in Brussels on Saturday as city moves to maximum terror alert level. Photograph: Xinhua/Rex Shutterstock

The heightened alert level followed meetings of the national security and counter-terror services late on Friday, which concluded, on the basis of undisclosed evidence, that a major attack was being planned in Brussels. The rest of the country was put on a level three alert, one level short of the maximum.

“Following a new assessment, the terror alert level has been raised to level four, very serious, for the Brussels region,” said a government statement. “Analysis shows a serious and imminent threat that requires taking specific security measures as well as specific recommendations for the public.”

People were told to avoid rail stations and airports, shopping centres, concerts, and other public events where people congregate.

Police detain a man in handcuffs (left) after stopping and searching his car, which had French number plates. Photograph: Virginia Mayo/AP

“We’re mobilising very strong security capacities,” said Charles Michel, the prime minister. “There’s a threat of attack by several individuals in several places. The [crisis centre] took this decision following information on a risk of attack similar to Paris.”

In sleet and the first freezing temperatures of the winter, the roads remained busy in a city known for traffic congestion. Local supermarkets were as busy as ever on a Saturday afternoon, open-air markets operated normally and were well-attended despite the weather and the worry.

The Brussels metro was closed on Saturday. Photograph: Arie Asona/Demotix/Corbis

There was however an edginess in the city’s central shopping area, with security personnel posted at the doors to shops checking bags and rucksacks on entry. Many shops and cafes lowered their shutters. By the afternoon, about half of city-centre shops had closed , while armoured personnel carriers restricted movement in the old city centre.

The mayors of Brussels’ 19 boroughs met at least twice and recommended a thorough lockdown of the city, not all of which was observed. A city centre mayor announced that a popular local market had been cancelled. In fact, it was operating as normal.

Municipal facilities across the city, such as sports and arts centres, libraries, and swimming pools, were all ordered to close. The Sunday morning market at the Gare du Midi, the Eurostar terminal – one of the biggest outdoor markets in Europe – was called off.

It appeared that many of the cancellations and closures were meant to relieve the pressure on the security forces who would be stretched too thin if mobilised to cover public events. Armed police as well as army personnel patrolled the central streets on foot, while police vehicles were ubiquitous.

Charles Michel, prime minister of Belgium, gave a press conference after a meeting of the national security council. Photograph: Stephanie Lecocq/EPA

Brussels is home to Nato headquarters and the US embassy in the city advised Americans to cancel their weekend plans.

“Shelter in place and remain at home. If you must go out, avoid large crowds. US citizens are urged to avoid public places such as major pedestrian walkways and shopping centres. If you were planning to attend an event, we strongly urge you to reconsider. Exercise caution in public transportation systems, sporting events, residential areas, business offices, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, public areas, shopping malls and other tourist destinations.”

The Foreign office delivered similar advice for the high numbers of Britons in Brussels.

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