Gunshots in Brussels metro lead to manhunt, major travel disruption

The Brussels metro system is experiencing major service disruption after gunshots were fired around Clemenceau station at 6.15 this morning.

The gunshots were fired in the air, resulting in no injuries to people, in the incident that authorities say is likely related to drug crime.

A manhunt is currently under way for the suspects, who fled through the metro tunnels towards Brussels-Midi station. The metro tunnel is closed and a massive police presence that includes heavily-armed special forces is on the scene.

The Clemenceau, Delacroix and Midi stations have been closed to the public and there is no metro traffic on lines 2 and 6 between Trône and Gare de l'Ouest. There is also significant disruption on tram lines passing by Brussels-Midi.

Trams 4 and 10 are not running between Brussels-North and Churchill, and trams 51 and 82 are interrupted between Porte d'Anderlecht and Brussels-Midi.

The investigation is expected to take some time, but no replacement buses will be deployed.

Travellers are instead advised to take alternative routes via other metro lines, trams or buses and check the latest updates through official transit communication channels before departure.

The special intervention unit of the federal police is using special equipment that allows them to see inside the metro tunnels where the suspects are thought to be hiding.

“We are looking for several suspects,” police spokesperson Sarah Frederickx said, referring to a small group of people, possibly two or three individuals.

Images and video footage of what appears to be the incident has been circulating on social media, showing two heavily-armed individuals equipped with weapons that look like Kalashnikovs.

Only one of them fired their weapon, but it is not clear why or at what he was aiming. Police suspect the shots were fired as an intimidation tactic.

Federal police were called in to provide additional support, along with the railway police in addition to members of special units. A command post has been set up at Anderlecht town hall.