Shooting in Brussels Injures Two, with One Critically Wounded

(MENAFN) Two individuals were injured, one critically, in an early morning shooting in Brussels, police confirmed Thursday, heightening concerns over the city's escalating drug-related violence. Authorities stated that the incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. local time (0130 GMT) in the Anderlecht district, close to the Clemenceau metro station, according to reports from a public broadcaster.

Brussels-Midi police detailed that one victim suffered a gunshot wound to the calf, while the second victim, with a shoulder injury, is in critical condition. Police have not yet confirmed any arrests and have initiated an investigation into the shooting.

This latest incident underscores a worrying trend of increasing drug-related violence in Brussels, which has witnessed a number of significant events, including two homicides in February. The area around the Clemenceau metro station has become a recurring hotspot for violent incidents, with multiple shootings and stabbings reported in recent months.

As a major entry point for drugs into Europe, Brussels is increasingly functioning as a distribution center for narcotics arriving via the port of Antwerp. Local media outlets have linked the recent spike in violence to a perceived security vacuum resulting from an extended eight-month political deadlock following the June 2024 elections.

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