Two Swedes were shot dead and another was seriously injured in the terrorist attack in central Brussels on Monday evening when an assailant opened fire with an automatic weapon at Sainctelette square.
The Foreign Ministry can now confirm that the two Swedes killed in the terrorist act are a man in his 70s from the Stockholm region, and a man in his 60s living abroad. The relatives of the deceased have been notified, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs tells TV4 Nyheterna.
The injured Swede is a man in his 70s who is currently being treated in hospital, according to the Foreign Ministry.
“Exercise increased caution”
“Swedes on site in Brussels are asked to observe increased caution, be vigilant and to contact their relatives. Swedes in Brussels are also urged to stay up to date on the development of events and follow the advice and instructions of local authorities”, writes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a written comment to TV4 Nyheterna.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also urges Swedes who are in Belgium to sign up for the Swedish list, download the UD Resklar app and activate push notifications for Belgium. When the first flights from Brussels with Swedish football supporters landed on Tuesday morning, everyone had followed the call to hide the Swedish colors.
– I don’t know if I will wear a yellow shirt abroad again, although I am proud of it, says Peter Hjalmarsson to TV4 Nyheterna.
– It’s really stupid. We always wear Swedish clothing, and that’s how we recognize each other in town.
The Prime Minister about the terrorist act
On Tuesday morning, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson held a press conference regarding the terrorist attack.
– Everything indicates that it is a terrorist attack against Sweden and Swedish citizens just because they are Swedes, said Ulf Kristersson at the press conference on Tuesday.
– Two Swedes have been killed in cold blood, and another Swede is injured, continued Kristersson.
According to the prime minister, the suspected terrorist has previously stayed in Sweden.
– According to Belgian sources, the suspect had applied for asylum and been refused, but then stayed behind. He has also occasionally stayed in Sweden, says the prime minister.
The 45-year-old suspected terrorist, Abdesalem Lassoued, who has now been shot dead by Belgian police and died on the way to hospital, is said to have targeted Swedish football supporters, and acted alone, the Prime Minister states.
– The crime in Belgium is in all probability a terrorist act with a lone perpetrator, he says.
– Swedish and Belgian police and security services will cooperate closely in the matter, adds Kristersson.