LATEST: Police detain suspect as gas canisters found in car in Brussels

Latest: Belgian authorities have detained a suspect who was driving a car with gas canisters in his boot, setting off a security alert in the centre of Brussels.

LATEST: Police detain suspect as gas canisters found in car in Brussels

Update - 7pm: Belgian authorities have detained a suspect who was driving a car with gas canisters in his boot, setting off a security alert in the centre of Brussels.

The prosecutor's office said a busy part of the capital and a subway station was closed off during the evening rush-hour.

Prosecutor's spokeswoman Ine Van Wymersch said authorities did not want to take any chances and acted quickly "since the driver was known by judicial authorities and it was unclear why the gas canisters were there".

"We are taking the case seriously," Ms Van Wymersch added. She said the suspect was being interrogated.

Saint Gilles Mayor Charles Picque described the driver as "a radicalised person, so it was normal to take precautionary measures".

Ms Van Wymersch cautioned, however, not to jump to conclusions about a possible extremist motive.

The gas canisters were discovered when police noticed a car speeding and running red lights and pursued it.

The local transport authority said the Porte de Hal metro station closed on police orders while a perimeter was established above ground. Media reported an anti-bomb squad was brought in.

Belgian security services have been on high alert since suicide bombers attacked the Brussels airport and subway last March 22, killing 32 people.

AP

Earlier: Belgian authorities have closed off part of the centre of Brussels and a subway station after a suspect was detained with gas canisters in the boot of his car.

The driver was stopped after a speeding infraction, Saint Gilles mayor Charles Picque told local radio.

Police went on alert after the canisters were found.

The Porte de Hal metro station was closed on police orders, the local transport authority said, while a perimeter was established above ground as media reported an anti-bomb squad was brought in.

Belgian security services have been on high alert since suicide bombers attacked the Brussels airport and subway last March 22, killing 32 people.

File photo.
File photo.

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