Brussels locked down its metro system and cancelled all events where crowds gather (concerts, sports matches etc.) in a security lockdown following ‘precise information’ of a planned Paris-style attack by ISIS in Belgium. Service halted and heavily armed military officials are patrolling the near-empty streets amid in a high security alert.

Police are scouring homes of terror suspects, and in the case of a person charged on Friday with terrorism offences related to last week’s terror attacks in Paris, there was a weapons cache found. The Belgian prosecutor released a statement saying that there were neither explosives, nor a suicide belt found during the search.

Molenbeek, dubbed Europe’s jihadi capital, has been central in the investigations after it was found to have been the cesspool of extremist factions.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel confirmed that the decision to raise the terror alert level was taken in response to ‘precise information’ and not just as a precautionary measure. He gave a news conference where he expressed the fear that “several individuals with arms and explosives could launch an attack… perhaps even in several places.”

“We urge the public not to give in to panic, to stay calm. We have taken the measures that are necessary,” he said.
Military vehicles and troops are in the streets. Car parks, shopping centers as well as obvious threats such as the vulnerable metro systemhave been closed until Sunday as the city is on high alert.

A 1771 hotline has been set up for people to call in case of an emergency.

Belgian PM’s statements

Shutting down the metro system

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