GettyTwo police officers have been attacked outside a police station in Belgium by a man wielding a machete and reportedly shouting ‘Allahu Akhbar’.
The two female officers were attacked in the city of Charleroi this afternoon by a suspect with a knife, the Mirror reports.
According to the Independent, police have now confirmed the suspect was shot by a third officer and taken to hospital where he died from his wounds.
Le décès de l'agresseur à la machette est confirmé. Les deux collègues sont hors de danger. Merci pour le soutien #PoliceCharleroi
— Police Charleroi (@PoliceCharleroi) August 6, 2016
Police in Charleroi tweeted:
The death of the attacker with a machete is confirmed . The two colleagues are out of danger. Thanks for your support.
Shortly after the attack, a spokesperson for Charleroi police said: “Two police have been injured with a machete in front of the police headquarters by a man shouting ‘Allah Akhbah’.”
Local media reported that a female police officer was taken to hospital with severe injuries to her face, while her colleague was not seriously wounded.
Acte ignoble à #charleroi . Tout mon soutien pour les 2 policiers blessés ainsi qu'à leurs collègues et familles. Évaluation OCAM en cours.
— Jan Jambon (@JanJambon) August 6, 2016
The identity of the perpetrator and his motives are still unclear, and as of yet, no terror group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
In a Twitter post, Jan Jambon, the Belgian Interior Minister, condemned the attack, writing:
Despicable act in Charleroi. All my thoughts with the two injured officers and their colleagues and families. Ocam [Belgian anti-terrorism group] is investigating.
Belgium has been rocked by a number of terrorist incidents recently, including the Brussels attacks in March which saw coordinated bombings at Brussels airport and Maalbeek metro station.
