Belgium alerts for "national emergency" due to wave of shootings related to drug trafficking
Now26 August 2026 at 22:45
Belgium declared a "national emergency" due to a wave of shootings linked to drug trafficking in the Brussels region, where six shootings were recorded in just four days in the neighborhoods of Anderlecht, Saint-Gilles, and Molenbeek. The total number of shootings in the region since the beginning of the year reached 65, matching the total recorded during the entire previous year, revealing a significant increase in drug-related violence.
The fires that devastated Vouzela and Valpaços were officially classified as a "natural disaster", opening the way for support to affected farmers. The subsidies cover 100% of the first 10,000 euros of eligible expenditure, and agricultural holdings that recorded damages exceeding 30% of productive potential can apply for these government support measures.
A female child was seriously injured after falling from the second floor of a building. The girl suffered serious fractures to the pelvic girdle and pelvis, having been transported to the Hospital das Caldas da Rainha to receive medical treatment. The PSP is currently investigating the circumstances in which the fall occurred.
A Spanish police officer who was on vacation was the victim of a stabbing robbery in [data unknown]. Two men approached the victim near a commercial area, where they stole his police badge, money and a watch. The agent was injured during the incident and was taken to a hospital to receive medical care.
Brazilian Federal Police dismantled a sex trafficking network to France, in which Brazilian women were recruited with promises of documents, plane tickets and accommodation to be sexually exploited in southern France. Three investigated individuals were prohibited from leaving Brazil as a precautionary measure.
