Two people were fatally shot and two others critically injured early Thursday near Brussels' Gare de Midi train station, a known area for drug trafficking. The incident, occurring between 1am and 2am near a local cafe in Saint Gilles, prompted a swift response from police as the suspect or suspects fled the scene.
Local authorities reported a total of three casualties, with two individuals in critical condition and a third in stable condition. Saint Gilles, identified as a drug hotspot among 15 districts in Brussels, has been under scrutiny by regional officials this year.
While police have not confirmed a direct link to the city's drug trade, Belgium has seen a rise in armed violence, often tied to disputes between drug trafficking groups. Judicial officials were expected to issue a statement later in the day to provide further details on the ongoing investigation.
