The security perimeter around the open-air Maasmechelen Village shopping centre in the east of Belgium has been lifted after it was evacuated preventively due to a "suspicious situation" on Thursday afternoon.
Police on Thursday afternoon decided to set up a security perimeter on the Bekaertlaan and Maasmechelen Village following reports of what was thought to be an explosive device or a suspicious package, causing chaos on the surrounding roads.
Around 15:30, the police forces of the Maasland and Lanaken-Maasmechelen (LaMa) zones received the report. Employees of power grid operator Fluvius had noticed something suspicious at the Bekaertlaan, after which the Maasland police zone was notified.
They preventively decided to set up a security perimeter of 300 metres around the area in question. Around 16:30, the perimeter was lifted and the shopping centre was allowed to reopen after it became clear that it concerned a package left behind by soldiers containing fake explosives for an exercise several weeks ago.
