Police in Antwerp arrest would-be vehicle attacker
- by Virginia Carter
- in World Media
- — Mar 25, 2017
The incident came a day after an attack outside the United Kingdom parliament in London killed three people.The attacker was also killed in the incident.
Extra police and military personnel have now been deployed in the centre of Antwerp. It revealed that he is aged 39, "of French nationality and living in France". Officers said they found knives and a rifle in the vehicle. "A man in camouflage was taken away", Muyters said.
An official at the prosecutors office, who asked not to be identified because the investigation was still ongoing, said the suspect was under the influence but refused to elaborate whether it was drugs or alcohol.
It is not now known if any bystanders sustained serious injuries, but those who witnessed the incident report that pedestrians were forced to jump out of the way as the driver of the vehicle kept increasing his speed in order to hit people.
The suspect has been described as a man of North African appearance.
World leaders unanimously condemned the attack in the heart of London by a man who was shot dead by armed police, with many saying they stand with Britain.
Soldiers noticed the vehicle, which had French license plates, in the Belgian city at around 11 a.m, local media reported.
It came a day after four people were killed in an attack involving a high-speed vehicle in London.
The Belgian incident also comes after the first anniversary of the Brussels' bomb attacks which claimed the lives of thirty-two innocent people.
Authorities then raised security in the center of town, in places where people normally gather.
"[The Belgian government] remains on high alert", Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel wrote on his Twitter. Security forces have shown exemplary work in Antwerp.
