Authorities in Belgium have condemned an early-morning explosion outside a synagogue in Liège, describing the incident as a serious act of anti-Semitism.
The blast occurred shortly before 4 a.m. on Monday outside the Jewish place of worship in the eastern Belgian city. While no casualties were recorded, the explosion shattered windows in buildings located across from the synagogue.
Police quickly sealed off the area and set up a security perimeter as investigations into the incident began.
The mayor of Liège, Willy Demeyer, condemned the attack, stating that such violence goes against the city’s long-standing culture of tolerance and respect.
According to the Belga News Agency, Demeyer said the city authorities strongly denounce what he described as an extremely violent act of anti-Semitism that contradicts Liège’s tradition of mutual respect.
He also warned against allowing international conflicts to spill over into the city, referring to tensions linked to the ongoing conflict involving Israel, the United States and Iran.
Reacting to the incident, Yves Oschinsky described the explosion as deeply alarming, calling it a “very disturbing, serious and worrying anti-Semitic act.”
Authorities have not yet established the exact cause of the explosion as investigations continue.