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Man arrested after trying to drive car into crowd on Antwerp shopping street – Belgium police Belgian police stop attempted car-ramming attack in Antwerp
(35 minutes later)
A person has been detained in Antwerp, Belgium, after attempting to drive his car into a busy shopping street at high speed, according to police.A person has been detained in Antwerp, Belgium, after attempting to drive his car into a busy shopping street at high speed, according to police.
The man is from Antwerp but is of North African descent, De Standaard reported. The man is believed to be a radicalized Muslim, according to the media. "A vehicle with French plates has tried to drive at high speed into the Meir [shopping street]. A man in camouflage was taken away," Antwerp police chief Serge Muyters told a news conference.
"At about 11 a.m. this morning a vehicle entered De Meir at high speed due to which pedestrians had to jump away," a police spokesman told a news conference. "The pedestrians had to jump aside," he added.
A perimeter has been set up around the area and a bomb squad has been deployed. It remains unknown whether any weapons or other suspicious materials were found in the man's car. A Belgian federal prosecutor said knives and other weapons were found in the man's car.
The man is of North African descent and is believed to be a radicalized Muslim, according to the media.
He has been identified as 39-year-old Mohamed R., a French national who resides in France, according to De Standaard.
French President Francois Hollande and a Belgian federal prosecutor have also said the incident appears to involve a French national.  
A perimeter has been set up around the area and a bomb squad has been deployed.
Additional officers and military personnel have been deployed throughout the city, according to Antwerp police. Additional officers and military personnel have been deployed throughout the city, according to Antwerp police. 
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has praised the city's authorities for doing an "excellent job."
It comes just one day after an assailant plowed his car into pedestrians near the British Parliament, as part of an attack in which a policeman was also stabbed to death.It comes just one day after an assailant plowed his car into pedestrians near the British Parliament, as part of an attack in which a policeman was also stabbed to death.
UK police believe the incident was “Islamist related,” but have given no details about the attacker, who they believe was acting alone.UK police believe the incident was “Islamist related,” but have given no details about the attacker, who they believe was acting alone.
It also comes just one day after the first anniversary of the Brussels bombings, which led to the deaths of 32 people at Brussels airport and Maalbeek metro station. More than 300 others were injured in the attacks.It also comes just one day after the first anniversary of the Brussels bombings, which led to the deaths of 32 people at Brussels airport and Maalbeek metro station. More than 300 others were injured in the attacks.