Belgium: Police find no explosives in car in Molenbeek /update 1

Event

Prosecutors in Brussels announced that no explosives were found in a car stopped by police in the suburb of Molenbeek on Tuesday, August 8, despite threats to the contrary by the detained driver. According to officials, there is no evidence that the driver was plotting to carry out an attack. A prosecutor spokesperson said that the suspect appears to be a “mentally unstable person.”

Context

Brussels police officials said that officers opened fire on a vehicle after a high-speed chase in the Molenbeek suburb of the city around 17:00 (local time) on August 8. According to local media, the officers shot at the car in an attempt to prevent the vehicle from escaping the area after it became stuck in traffic. The driver told the police that the vehicle was packed with high explosives after being arrested, prompting officers to cordon off the area while they investigated the claim.

Advice

Individuals in Brussels are advised to monitor the situation, obey all instructions issued by the local authorities, and to avoid the area of the incident.