Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Clemenceau metro station in Brussels experienced a shooting by masked gunmen, which started an extensive citywide search. The incident led to the suspension of metro services across the area. The increase in violence during this period led to fatal shootings in both Anderlecht and Sint-Joost, which raised fears about criminal gangs.
A shooting near Clémenceau metro station in Brussels on February 5, 2025, triggered police searches for armed assailants that caused metro and tram line outages through Brussels. The drug-trafficking activity led authorities to shut down multiple stations and stop all services after the shooting occurred at the Clémenceau metro station. The incident led to public safety concerns while drug-related violence remained active in the city despite no injuries being reported during the event.
“Shots were fired again last night in the commune, this time in the Peterbos district around 4 am,”
Said police spokesperson Sarah Frederickx.
“One person, an unidentified man, has died. An investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances. The investigating judge and the scientific laboratory have visited the scene.”
“A police patrol was present at the time of the incident, but it is merely a temporary solution,” T
he Anderlecht mayor stated.
The shooting occurred around 6 am CET outside the Clémenceau station, involving at least two men wearing balaclavas and carrying weapons, possibly Kalashnikov rifles. CCTV footage captured the suspects firing into the air, causing public panic before fleeing into the metro tunnels.
Police spokesperson Sarah Frederickx indicated that authorities were searching for a small group of two to three individuals, likely still armed, between the Clémenceau and Midi stations. The incident is not being treated as a terrorist attack. However, local media suggests a connection to drug trafficking, highlighting ongoing issues with gang-related violence in Brussels. The Brussels metro faced severe disruption, with lines 2 and 6 interrupted between Trône and Gare de l’Ouest, near the European Parliament.
Tramlines between Lemonnier and Berkendael and between Port d’Anderlecht and Gare du Midi were also disrupted. Clemenceau and Delacroix stations, along with Gare du Midi (a Eurostar terminal), were closed.
“We found several violations of trade legislation there. Since 2024, gold may no longer be sold for cash, for example.” According to police, the situation is “not a matter of fraud“.
What is the context of crime and drug violence in Brussels?
Drug-related violence continues to escalate in Brussels’ Peterbos section of Anderlechtighborhoods. Drug-related crimes have persisted for a long time throughout this region, where local residents experience both intimidation and gunfire incidents. The Peterbos neighbourhood, in February 2024, became controlled by ex-residents combined with teenage criminals who maintained connections to drug gangs located in Marseille.
Dealings with masked criminals sometimes involve stopping entryways before performing identity checks on visitors. The police chief of the Brussels police zone, Midi declared his officers lack the necessary equipment to address this problem. The demand reduction approach includes increased drug user prosecutions and proposals to unite Brussels police districts.
The Brussels Public Prosecutor’s office confirms that Marseille criminal groups continue to operate within the region.
“A police patrol was present at the time of the incident, but it is merely a temporary solution,”
Stated Anderlecht Mayor Fabrice Cumps, emphasising the need for federal resources. Following violent outbreaks, the Brussels-Capital-Ixelles police zone will provide support in both Anderlecht and the southern area of Brussels.
In addition to the metro shooting, there was yet another deadly shooting in Peterbos:
“Shots were fired again last night in the commune, this time in the Peterbos district around 4 am,”
Said police spokesperson Sarah Frederickx. An unidentified male lost his life during the shooting incident. Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the conditions surrounding the incident. The scene has been visited by both an investigating judge and the scientific laboratory.
