Brussels faces national emergency amid surge in drug-related shootings

Brussels shootings drug trafficking violence organized crime Belgian police national emergency

Brussels is facing a surge in violence linked to drug trafficking, with 65 shootings recorded in the region since the start of 2026. This figure already matches the total for the entire previous year. The violence, which has resulted in two deaths and 21 injuries, is largely attributed to turf wars between organized criminal networks.

In response to the escalating situation, Interior Minister Bernard Quintin has declared a state of national emergency. Proposed security measures include the deployment of an additional infantry platoon in Brussels, the reinforcement of special police units, and increased support for the Federal Judicial Police. Additionally, the six police zones in Brussels will transition to a unified operational command known as ‘Gold’ to improve coordination and rapid response capabilities.

Recent incidents have included an attack on a police station in Anderlecht involving automatic weapons and multiple shootings in the Saint-Gilles district. Authorities have made several arrests, including two suspects in Saint-Gilles, and have seized military-grade weapons and ammunition. Local officials have called for increased federal resources to dismantle high-level criminal structures rather than focusing solely on street-level dealers.

Entities

Anderlecht · Bernard Quintin · Brussels · Brussels South Police Zone · Federal Judicial Police · Jean Spinette · Julien Moinil · Jurgen De Landsheer · Saint-Gilles

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] Brussels prosecutor Julien Moinil suggested the attacks may be an attempt to destabilize authorities. brusselssignal.eu
[● 2 SOURCES] Minister Quintin allocated 1 million euros for new surveillance cameras in the South zone.
[● 3 SOURCES] The mayor called for an additional 80 investigators for the federal judicial police in Brussels. newsmonkey.be
[○ 1 SOURCE] Mayor Spinette stated that local police lack the capacity to dismantle high-level criminal structures. newsmonkey.be
[○ 1 SOURCE] Police took two suspects into custody following a shooting in Saint-Gilles. newsmonkey.be
[● 3 SOURCES] Saint-Gilles mayor Jean Spinette attributed the violence to territorial wars between drug gangs. newsmonkey.be · www.hlavnespravy.sk
[○ 1 SOURCE] Police zone South chief Jurgen De Landsheer believes the violence is a reaction to increased police pressure on drug traffickers. www.31mag.nl
[● 4 SOURCES] Interior Minister Bernard Quintin described the shooting incidents as totally unacceptable. www.deia.eus · observador.pt
[DISPUTED] Brussels recorded 57 shootings in the first seven months of 2026. brusselssignal.eu · www.hlavnespravy.sk · www.rmf24.pl · www.vlaamsbelang.org
[● 5 SOURCES] Two masked men opened fire on a former police station in Anderlecht using an automatic weapon. brusselssignal.eu · www.hlavnespravy.sk · newsmonkey.be · www.rmf24.pl
[● 2 SOURCES] The Interior Minister proposed measures to reinforce the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime. www.deia.eus · observador.pt
[● 2 SOURCES] Measures include deploying an additional infantry platoon in Brussels. www.deia.eus · observador.pt