13 Dec 2011

Belgium left reeling after grenade attack

At least three people are dead and over 100 are injured after a man threw explosives and opened fire and near a crowded Christmas market in the Belgian city of Liege.

Shoppers ran from the scene as Nordine Amrani, 33, began his attack near Place Saint Lambert, a central shopping area and the site of the Christmas market and courthouse.

He hurled grenades near a bus stop and sprayed gunfire at crowds of Christmas shoppers and children on Tuesday.

The victims were a 15-year-old boy, who died at the scene, a 17-year-old boy and a 75-year-old woman who died in hospital. Liege’s mayor, Willy Demeyer, said the two teenagers were about the go to the market after finishing their school exams nearby. The attacker himself is also now dead.

Belgian officials said the motivation is unclear, but there is no evidence this was an act of terrorism.

Liege prosecutor Danielle Reynders said the man was on his way for police questioning when he launched the attack.

“This morning he was supposed to go to the police for interrogation, he was seen on a roof on the Place Saint Lambert square, he used a weapon and a revolver and he threw three grenades. He is dead.”

One witness told local radio: “He had a bag. He got a grenade out of his bag. He threw the grenade at the bus stop. Then he had a Kalashnikov (rifle). He shot in all directions. Then everyone ran to try to save themselves. Then he got a revolver out and put a bullet in his head.”

Police have sealed off roads in the city centre in the aftermath of the attack.

A ‘senseless act’

Kris Peeters, prime minister of Dutch-speaking Flanders, expressed his condolences and sympathy.

“On behalf of the Flemish government I would like to express my deepest condolences for the innocent victims, their families and near ones. I hope this senseless act of violence will be punished swiftly.”

Speculation from Belgian media links the attack to an attempted jail-break from the Palais de Justice near the scene of the attack.

The mayor of Liege, Willy Demeyer, confirmed that three males tried to escape from the palace of justice, according to the main Flemish paper, De Standaard.