On the evening of 22 January, an attack involving cold weapons took place in the centre of the Belgian city of Antwerp during a peaceful Kurdish demonstration. According to police, six people were stabbed, two of whom are in critical condition.
The incident occurred at around 7:20 p.m. local time on Operaplein (Opera Square), where approximately 50 protesters had gathered. The demonstration was peaceful and was coming to an end when a group of unknown individuals, who had mingled with the crowd, suddenly pulled out knives and attacked people. Eyewitnesses describe the incident as ‘pure chaos’: participants ran away in panic in different directions.
All the victims were taken to hospital. Antwerp police spokesman Wouter Bruyns confirmed that law enforcement officers detained four suspects immediately after the attack.
The motives for the attack have not yet been established and are being investigated. The police are not ruling out various possibilities, including possible inter-ethnic or political reasons.
Local authorities have stepped up security measures in the city centre. The situation is under control, but the police are urging residents to remain vigilant.