Attack against a soft target
Risks and causes
Consequences
What can you do?
Before
- Have you seen something suspicious? Call 112 and report it to the police. Do not touch it. A suspicious object is an object that seems out of place. For example, an abandoned backpack, a bag with a strange smell, or a bag with cables sticking out.
- Have you seen someone suspicious? Call 112 and report it to the police. A suspicious person is someone who seems out of place. He/she may be suspicious, because he/she is acting strangely or wears clothes that don't match his/her environment (for example, a heavy coat in summer).
During
In the event of an explosion:
- Stay calm. Leave the area as soon as possible, if it is safe to do so. Is it not possible to leave? Stay calm and wait for help to arrive.
- Cover your nose and mouth to avoid breathing dust, toxic gases or other toxic substances.
- Warn other people, or call 112.
- Stay close to the incident (out of the danger zone) to be intercepted and assisted by the emergency services.
- Stay where you are (preferably indoors). Avoid moving around, so as not to get in the way of the emergency services.
- Do not go and see what is happening.
- Let your family know you are safe, preferably by text message or social media.
In the event of an armed person:
- Leave the area as soon as it is safe to do so.
- Are you indoors or cannot escape?
- Hide and lie on the ground.
- Stay away from doors and windows. Turn off the light. If possible, try locking or blocking the doors.
- Stay calm and quiet. Do you have a mobile phone? Put it on mute.
- Call 112 if you can, or use the 112 app to chat if you can't talk.
Are you in a safe place, away from the incident?
- Stay where you are (preferably indoors). Avoid moving around, so as not to get in the way of the emergency services.
- Do not go and see what is happening.
- Let your family know you are safe, preferably by text message or social media.
After
A terrorist attack can lead to post-traumatic shock. Speak to your doctor about it or call 106 if you need a listening ear.
Impact and probability
The figures relating to probability and impact describe a soft-target attack of major magnitude. The BNRA theoretically describes such a scenario as follows:
- A knife attack is perpetrated against a vulnerable target.
- The attack is aimed at a single target, causing minimal damage to the building or venue, without compromising its functioning.
How should you interpret these results?
Within the BNRA, experts assessed three scenarios for each risk: considerable, major or extreme. On each page, you will find the results of the scenario with the highest score based on the combination of likelihood and impact. This does not mean that this scenario will occur or is the most likely. Read more here about how to correctly interpret the results.
Probability
Moderate
Human impact
Very weak
Societal impact
Weak
Environmental impact
No impact
Financial impact
Weak
What do the authorities do?
Various public partners and security services work together on a daily basis in the fight against terrorism, extremism and radicalisation, for example the Coordination Unit for Threat Analysis (CUTA), State Security, the Federal Police, the General Intelligence and Security Service, Defence, etc.
They exchange information, implement the strategy to combat terrorism and extremism, including the radicalisation process (T.E.R. strategy), and cooperate with foreign intelligence services.
CUTA also provides ad hoc and strategic threat assessments on a scale of 1 to 4.
- Level 1 - the threat is low
- Level 2 - the threat is moderate
- Level 3 - the threat is serious
- Level 4 - the threat is very serious
Based on these analyses, visible and less visible precautionary and protective measures are taken to protect the population, individuals and important institutions
In the event of a terrorist attack or hostage-taking, Belgium has a national emergency plan. Such an attack or hostage-taking generally has a national impact and requires an immediate response. For security reasons, the contents of the emergency plan have not been made public.