Sweden’s Deadliest Mass Shooting, Brussels Attack Highlight Surge in Gun Violence Across Europe

On February 5, Belgian police launched a search after an early-morning shooting incident unfolded outside Clémenceau metro station in central Brussels. At least two armed men, seen on CCTV wearing balaclavas and carrying what appeared to be Kalashnikov rifles, opened fire at around 06:15 local time (05:15 GMT) before fleeing into the metro tunnels.

Sarah Frederickx, a spokeswoman for Brussels police, confirmed that no injuries were reported during the shooting. However, authorities have taken significant precautionary measures, including shutting down Clémenceau station and the nearby Brussels-Midi station. These are key transport hubs serving Eurostar train terminals. Two metro lines running through central Brussels have also been suspended between Gare de l’Ouest and Trône, near the European Parliament.

Both the local police and the federal railway police have been deployed to secure the area and search for the suspects, who may still be hiding within the metro tunnels. The Belgian prosecutor’s office has ruled out terrorism as a motive, stating that the incident appears to be linked to drug-related activity. According to sources close to the investigation, the gunmen targeted an individual but failed to hit their mark.

Public broadcaster VRT released images showing two suspects entering the metro station and opening fire. The authenticity of these images has not yet been verified.

In response to the shooting, the Brussels public transportation service, STIB, announced via X (formerly Twitter) that multiple metro stations have been closed, and services on six metro lines have been disrupted. Authorities are urging the public to avoid the affected areas while the investigation continues.

This incident has raised concerns about rising criminal activity in Brussels, with authorities remaining on high alert. More updates are expected as the police intensify their search for the suspects.

Sweden Mass Shooting

Yesterday, on February 4, at least 10 people were killed in a mass shooting at Campus Risbergska in Örebro, in what has been described as the worst mass shooting in Sweden’s history. The suspected perpetrator also died.

Several others were injured, including five with gunshot wounds, four of whom underwent surgery.

Police identified the shooter as a lone perpetrator with no known gang ties or ideological motives. Authorities did not disclose the weapon used. An exchange of shooting reportedly took place between the suspect and police, though no officers were shot.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson condemned the attack, calling it “brutal, deadly violence against innocent people.” King Carl XVI Gustaf expressed condolences, calling the news “tragic and dismaying.”

Authorities continued to investigate the attack and urged the public to avoid the area as students were evacuated. The motive remains unclear.

Recently, a social division has been seen in European society, and crimes such as these have increased significantly in almost every country in the European Union.

In 2024, at least 40 people were shot dead there, according to Reuters. That year, police said they prevented more than 100 serious crimes. In 2023, Sweden tallied the highest rate of gun violence per capita in the European Union.

Analysts cite the unparalleled ideologies of Western society with migrants coming from other parts of the world, especially from the Middle East. Social division in European society is evident now, and the result of this division is coming in the form of lone attacks, terrorist attacks and riots.