Man arrested in Antwerp for trying to drive on pedestrian street

BRUSSELS, March 23 (KUNA) -- A man has been arrested in the Belgian city of Antwerp after he attempted to drive onto the Meir the city's man pedestrian street at high speed Thursday, Belgian media reports said speculation is that this was an attempted terrorist act Prosecutors identified the driver as a 39-year-old French national. In the boot of his car police found knives, a riot gun and a spray. The driver is known to the police for arms offences.
Antwerp police chief Serge Muyters told journalists that "the vehicle drove onto the Meir at high speed. Members of the armed forces noticed what was happening and tried to prevent it. The driver failed to stop, jumped a red light and headed towards the quayside." Nobody was injured in the incident, but extra security measures are now in force in Antwerp.
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel tweeted that "We remain vigilant. Our security services did excellent work. Thanks! The Belgian government is closely following the situation." The incident comes only a day after a driver drove into pedestrians in the centre of London killing three people, and also a day after when Belgium was remembering the victims of terror attacks at Brussels airport and the Maalbeek metro station a year ago. (end) nk.rk