An officer was killed as a result of a stabbing in Brussels, according to the local police

CNN:
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A stabbing attack in Brussels that left at least one police officer dead is “suspected to be terror-related”, authorities said on Thursday.

“It is suspected that it is related to terrorism. This, of course, must be confirmed by an investigation,” Eric Van Duysen, spokesman for the Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office, told CNN.

The incident on Thursday night saw a police patrol attacked by a person with a knife. “Other police officers came as backup and used their rifles to shoot the attacker to bring the person under control,” a spokesperson for the Brussels North police force told CNN by email.

“The victims were taken to the hospital. The investigation is ongoing,” the spokesperson added.

The condition of the attacker is still unclear.

The attack took place around 7:30 p.m. local time on Rue d’Aerschot in the Cherbec municipality of Brussels, Van Duyse said.

Lawmakers have sent their condolences to the family of the slain policeman after the news of the attack.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexandre De Crowe expressed his condolences, saying his thoughts go out to the family and friends of the deceased officer.

“Our police officers risk life and limb every day to keep our society safe. Unfortunately, that is being seen once again today,” he tweeted.

Belgian Interior Minister Anneliese Verlinden described the incident as “terrible drama and heartbreaking news”.

“My thoughts are first and foremost with the loved ones, the members of the police force and the entire police organization,” he wrote on Twitter.

Brussels Mayor Philippe Clouse called it an “unbearable drama” in Brussels.

“We are in solidarity with the police forces. The police protect us and should be protected,” he said.

The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Mezzola, said that she was “shocked” by the killing of a police officer while performing his duties.

“The Belgian police have worked so closely with (the European Parliament) over the years that it feels personal to us. All our thoughts are with them, their loved ones and everyone in Belgium,” he wrote on Twitter.

Belgium has seen several terrorist attacks in the last decade.

In 2017, ISIS claimed responsibility for the knife attack soldiers in Brussels. As a result of the incident, the soldiers were slightly injured, but one of them managed to shoot the attacker, who later died in the hospital.

In June of that year, a suspect was fatally shot in a Brussels transit station after a botched bombing that authorities described as terrorism. In March 2016, 31 people were killed and more than 300 injured in coordinated attacks at the Brussels airport and metro station.