Suspect at large after two Swedish men shot dead ahead of football match

Two Swedish nationals have been shot dead in central Brussels in a suspected terrorist incident – with the shooter reported to have fled the scene.

Belgian authorities raised the terror alert to its highest level after the incident, which came at 7pm local time, shortly before Sweden were due to play in a Euro qualifier match against Belgium on Monday evening.

The shooting took place near Sainctelette Plein, to the north of the city centre – around five miles from the King Baudouin Stadium, where the match was due to kick off at 8.45pm.

The football match went ahead was abandoned partway through after officials said the shooting may have been terrorism – with security officials saying the highest priority for authorities was to get over 35,000 fans safely out of the stadium.

“The population needs to be actively vigilant and avoid any unnecessary travel,” Laura Demullier of the OCAD anti-terror center said, with the shooter still thought to be at large.

Ilse van de Keere, a spokeswoman for Belgian police, confirmed the two victims were Swedish and local media suggested both victims were wearing Sweden shirts at the time.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said: “I have just offered my sincere condolences to [Sweden] following tonight’s harrowing attack on Swedish citizens in Brussels. As close partners the fight against terrorism is a joint one.”

The Belgian interior minister Annelies Verlinden said: “A horrible shooting in Brussels, and the perpetrator is actively being tracked down.”

Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer said: “Tonight we have received terrible news from Brussels. The Government office and relevant authorities are working intensively to get more information about what happened.”

A video reported to be of the incident shows a man in a fluorescent orange jacket and a white helmet chasing another man into a building. It is understood police are currently verifying footage of the attack.