In an act that authorities are examining as terrorism, two Swedes were shot dead, and a third person was injured in Brussels.

A football match between Belgium and Sweden that was taking place in the city was called off.

Because the shooter, who looked to be carrying an assault rifle, is still at large, Brussels is on its highest level of terror alert.

While in Albania, French President Emmanuel Macron declared: “Europe has been shaken.”

Eric van Duyse, the federal prosecutor of Belgium, issued a statement urging people to “go home and stay at home as long as the threat has not been eliminated.”

He claimed that a man posing as the attacker claimed that the Islamic State organization had motivated him in a video posted on social media.

In a video, a man speaking Arabic claims to have killed three people while carrying out the act in the cause of God.

Police are reportedly verifying the video and other ones posted during the attack, the BBC has been informed.

According to federal prosecutors, the gunshot on the Boulevard d’Ypres has sparked a terrorism investigation.

During the Belgium vs. Sweden football match in Brussels’ King Baudouin Stadium on October 16, Swedish fans react as they wait in the stands. IMAGE SOURCE,AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
Swedish fans reacting at the King Baudouin Stadium, image caption
A man in a neon jacket steps off a scooter while brandishing what seems to be an assault rifle, according to a social media video shared by the daily Het Laatste Nieuws on Monday but unconfirmed by BBC News. He then enters a nearby glass-fronted business.

Then, he seems to shoot at least one victim.

Following the incident, which occurred at about 19:00 (17:00 GMT), police and emergency services closed off neighboring roadways.

The two victims were wearing football shirts from the Swedish national team, according to Belgian media agencies.

According to Swedish network TV6, the Belgian team consented after Swedish players informed Uefa that they did not want to participate in the second half of the game.

Alexander de Croo, the prime minister of Belgium, expressed his “sincere condolences to the Swedish PM following tonight’s horrific attack on Swedish citizens in Brussels” on social media.

“Our thoughts are with the families and friends who lost their loved ones,” he stated. “As close partners the fight against terrorism is a joint one.”

On social media, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen expressed her sympathies “with the families of the two victims of the despicable attack in Brussels.”

“I extend my heartfelt support to the Belgian police, so they swiftly apprehend the suspect,” she stated. “Together, we stand united against terror.”

Rob Corp in London and Bruno Boelpaep in Brussels have more information.