BRUSSELS -- Belgian authorities tightened security Thursday in the port city of Antwerp after a Frenchman drove his car at high speed through a busy shopping area, forcing pedestrians to jump out of the way.
French President Francois Hollande compared the incident to the deadly attack in London, saying the Frenchman was "trying to kill people or create a dramatic event." The assailant in London was shot and killed by police after he stabbed an officer to death.
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The federal prosecutor's office said the car in Antwerp was intercepted late Thursday morning at the port docks where police arrested a man, identified only as as 39-year-old Mohamed R., who has been living in France.
In the car, authorities found knives, a shotgun and a gas can with an unknown liquid. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
An official at the prosecutor's office, who asked not to be identified because the investigation was still ongoing, said the suspect "was under the influence," but refused to elaborate whether it was drugs or alcohol.
Authorities immediately raised security in the center of Antwerp.
At first sight, the incident appeared to have the hallmarks of several extremist attacks in Europe -- a vehicle in a busy area bent on mowing down pedestrians. Trucks were used last year in deadly attacks in Nice, France, and Berlin, and an SUV was used Wednesday in London.
The office said "because of these elements, and the events in London yesterday, the case is being taken on by the federal prosecutor's office," which usually deals with extremist attacks.
Prime Minister Charles Michel said "we remain vigilant. Our security services have done excellent work." He also expressed sincere condolences to British Prime Minister Theresa May, saying the two nations are "working in close cooperation with our security and intelligence services."
The Antwerp event happened a day after Belgium held anniversary remembrance services for the Brussels airport and subway attacks, which killed 32 people on March 22, 2016. Belgium has been living under the second highest anti-terror alarm ever since.
Information for this article was contributed by Philippe Sotto of the Associated Press
A Section on 03/24/2017