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Early Wednesday morning, two individuals in balaclavas opened fire near the Clémenceau metro station in Brussels, Belgium, sparking a manhunt by local authorities. The incident occurred around 6 am CET, disrupting services on two metro lines and several tram routes.
According to local media footage, at least two masked men armed with weapons were seen exchanging gunfire outside the Clémenceau metro station. Following the shooting, police quickly launched a search of the area, including the underground transit system, but fortunately, no injuries were reported.
A spokesperson from the public prosecutor's office confirmed that investigations are ongoing. Authorities suspect the incident may be linked to drug trafficking, with reports indicating the suspects were armed with Kalashnikov rifles. As part of their precautionary measures, the Clémenceau and Delacroix stations, along with Gare du Midi— a major hub for Eurostar trains—were temporarily closed.
Metro services on lines 2 and 6 were suspended between Trône and Gare de l'Ouest stations, affecting areas close to the European Parliament. Additionally, tram services between Lemonnier and Berkendael stations, as well as between Port d'Anderlecht and Gare du Midi, were disrupted.
The authorities are actively searching for the suspects, who are believed to be a small group of armed individuals, possibly two or three. Police have warned that they may still be hiding in the tunnel connecting Clémenceau and Midi stations.
As of now, the authorities have stated that the situation is not being treated as a terrorist attack, and the investigation remains ongoing.
