The victims were confirmed as Swedish citizens, reportedly wearing football shirts when they were shot near Saincteletteplein, to the north of the city centre.
Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo posted on social media: ‘I have just offered my sincere condolences to @SwedishPM following tonight’s harrowing attack on Swedish citizens in Brussels.
‘Our thoughts are with the families and friends who lost their loved ones.
‘As close partners the fight against terrorism is a joint one.’
The game, being played at the Stade Roi Baudouin was 1-1 at half-time, but an announcement was made in the stadium confirming that the players decided they did not want to continue the match.
Supporters have been held in the stadium, though, as part of the security operation, with the gunman still at large and the terror alert in Brussels has been raised to the highest level.
UEFA posted on the live blog of the game: ‘The match has been suspended at half-time due to security reasons.’
A further statement from UEFA read: ‘Following a suspected terrorist attack in Brussels this evening, it has been decided, after consultation with the two teams and the local police authorities, that the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden is abandoned.’
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