Security tightened after Jewish attacks

Belgium officers have launched a nationwide manhunt for a lone suspect in a shooting spree at the Brussels Jewish Museum as the death toll in the attack rose to four.

The attack, which came on the eve of national and European Parliament elections, led officials to immediately raise anti-terror measures and increase protection for Jewish sites.

Video of the attack showed a man calmly walking into the Jewish Museum, getting out a Kalashnikov shoulder rifle and starting to shoot before walking away. No one has claimed responsibility.

“We call on the whole population to help identify this person,” deputy prosecutor Ine Van Wymersch said yesterday.

She said the gunman who killed an Israeli tourist couple, a French woman and a Belgian man “probably acted alone, was armed and well prepared”.

The fourth victim died yesterday afternoon, said a government official.

Officials said the shooter parked a car in the Sablon area of antique dealers, cafes and art galleries. The museum said in a statement the gunman came in, started shooting at the tourist couple at the entry “and then went on to the reception, where he shot the attendant”.

Police detained one suspect late on Saturday but he was soon released and is now considered a witness.

Ms Van Wymersch said “all options are still open” regarding a motive but the government has said it had the hallmarks of an anti-Semitic attack.