A man has surrendered following a hostage situation on Thursday morning in the Rue du Fort in Saint-Gilles, according to information confirmed by the police.
According to federal police, the man holed up in a basement in Rue du Fort in Saint-Gilles surrendered after a brief negotiation with federal police special units at around 12:00 on Thursday. The situation has now been brought under control.
The hostage-taking is believed to be the result of a failed robbery. Two people attempted to hold up a Western Union office in Saint-Gilles.
Police pictured at the site Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
One of the suspects was caught by the police as he fled, while the second took refuge, armed, in a basement in Rue du Fort.
Fifteen police officers surrounded the building where the perpetrator was hiding, and set up a security perimeter until the special units arrived.
The Public Prosecutor will further investigate the precise circumstances of the case.
Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
This article was updated at 12:40.
