BRUSSELS — On Friday, EU civil servants were temporarily evacuated from their offices situated on Rue de la Loi due to a reported bomb threat, which ultimately turned out to be unfounded.
Incident details and police response
The police, accompanied by sniffer dogs, conducted a thorough investigation of a gray Volvo with a Dutch license plate that had been abandoned near the Maelbeek metro station. In response to the potential threat, law enforcement officials cordoned off a significant section of Rue de la Loi, a key thoroughfare in the EU district.
Evacuated officials included those from the directorates-general for agriculture and humanitarian aid, highlighting the seriousness with which such threats are taken in the heart of European governance.
Historical context and safety measures
The Maelbeek metro station has a tragic history, being the site of an Islamist terror attack in 2016. As EU officials awaited further developments, discussions about the past incident reflected the ongoing concerns regarding security in the region.
“The specialised forces of the Belgium police inspected the car and concluded that vehicle was not representing any danger. The all clear was given at 16h45. The staff was informed that they could go back to their buildings.”
Following the inspections, Belgian authorities confirmed that the vehicle posed no threat, allowing staff to return to their offices. This incident has been updated with remarks from the European Commission, reaffirming their commitment to the safety and security of employees in the EU quarter.