Brussels Quarter Sealed after Gas Canisters Found in Car

Police and soldiers on Thursday sealed off a part of central Brussels after stopping a car with gas canisters, a police spokeswoman said, as Belgium prepares to mark the first anniversary of the March terror attacks. 

The spokeswoman said she had no information about the driver. But reports citing the local mayor Charles Picque said the man was believed to have been radicalized but that it was difficult to know how dangerous the situation was.

"The car was stopped because the driver jumped several red lights. The police then noticed several gas canisters in the boot and rather than take any risks, they called for help from the army bomb squad," the spokeswoman said.

The driver had put up no resistance and stopped of his own accord, she said.

He was detained for questioning, she said, adding that she did not know as yet whether be would be charged with any offense.

A security perimeter was set up in the Porte de Hal area, near the main Midi rail station and famous for a medieval fortress which attracts tourists.

Buildings closest to the car have been evacuated and public transport either halted or diverted.

Attacks carried out by home-grown, Islamic State-inspired jihadists on March 22 last year on the metro and Brussels airport left 32 people dead.

The same jihadi cell also played a key role in the November 2015 Paris attacks which claimed 130 lives.

The authorities significantly stepped up security after the killings, with troops in full combat gear patrolling the streets and mounting guard around key buildings.