Liege Grenade Attack: Six Dead Including Gunman After Explosives Hurled In Belgian City

Six Dead Including Gunman After Belgian Grenade Attack
|

At least six people have died and 123 have been injured after a man fired shots and threw grenades in a crowded town square in Liège, Belgium.

The grenades exploded near to a Christmas market, injuring dozens and sending people running and screaming from the scene.

GALLERY: Click Here For The Latest Images From Liege

A 15-year-old boy died "on the spot", police said in a short press conference on Tuesday. A 17-year-old boy, a 20-year-old man, a 75-year-old woman and a 23-month-old baby were also killed along with the gunman.

A further 123 people are known to have been injured. All the wounded were sent to the six hospitals in the region, mainly the Citadelle Hospital it was reported on local radio.

A justice official also said that a body had been found in a shed at the gunman's home, which he used to grow cannabis. The woman is believed to be the gunman's neighbour's cleaner.

The gunman, who was from Liège, has been named 33-year-old Nordine Amrani by the police. Officials said that he was on his way for police questioning when he launched the attack.

The man reportedly climbed onto a rooftop near to the Place Saint-Lambert, from where he fired shots and threw explosives onto a busy shopping street.

Below: the dead suspected gunman, photographed after the attack surrounded by scattered weapons.

Open Image Modal

Amrani was armed with grenades, a handgun and also a machine gun, police said. There were more grenades on his person when he was found.

The attacker had spent some time in prison for drug and sex offences and was known to the authorities. officials have ruled out terrorism.

The newspaper Sudpresse said Amrani was convicted in 2008 to 58 months in prison for possession of weapons and for growing cannabis as part of a gang. It was not possible for The Huffington Post UK to confirm those details independently.

"There was just one assailant," police said. "He was acting alone. ... He was not trying to run away."

Belgian prime minister Elio di Rupo said there were "no words" to describe the tragedy.

"We think first and foremost of the innocent victims, their family and friends. We also think of all the people working at the scene and more generally of the people of Liege.

"The whole country shares the pain of the families affected. We share the shock of the population."

David Cameron has offered his condolences after the attack. A Number 10 Spokesperson said: "The Prime Minister called Belgian Prime Minister Di Rupo this evening to pass on his sympathy in the wake of the appalling attacks in Liege. He said that his thoughts and those of very many people in Britain were with all those involved."

See below for a map of the attacks:

Open Image Modal

Liege is a city of about 200,000 people in Wallonia, the French-speaking region of Belgium. It is known as a tough city with a history of drugs- and gang-related violence.

Initial reports have suggested up to three attackers were involved. However the mayor of the city has said it was the act of a lone individual.

Some mobile phone networks crashed in the aftermath of the attacks, the Telegraph reported, such was the sudden rush to contact family members and friends.

Foreign Secretary, William Hague said:

"I am saddened by today’s attack in Liege in Belgium. There can be absolutely no place for appalling acts of violence such as this in any society, and I condemn this attack in the strongest terms.

"I send my deepest sympathy to the victims of this attack, their families and loved ones. The Belgian authorities have our full support as they investigate this incident."

Open Image Modal