An explosion occurred early in the morning outside a synagogue in Liège, causing material damage but no injuries. Local authorities say the blast appears to have been deliberately caused and are treating it as a possible antisemitic attack.
Explosion in the early hours
The explosion happened shortly before 4:00 a.m. in front of the synagogue on Rue Léon Frédéricq Synagogue.
According to the mayor of Liège, Willy Demeyer, the blast was of criminal origin and likely targeted the Jewish community.
He strongly condemned the incident, calling it “an extremely violent act of antisemitism contrary to Liège’s tradition of respect for others.” He also stressed that external conflicts must not be imported into the city.
Damage but no injuries
Residents reported that the explosion shattered the synagogue’s main window and broke windows in buildings across the street.
One local resident said the blast woke people in the area:
“Right in front of the synagogue there was an explosive. My entire facade and all the windows were blown out.”
Police closed the street and established a security perimeter while investigators carried out their work.
Terrorism investigators involved
The investigation is being handled by the Federal Judicial Police of Belgium, including its terrorism division.
The SEDEE (Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service of the Belgian Defense) was also deployed to analyze the explosion.
Belgium’s Interior Minister Bernard Quintin described the incident as “an abhorrent antisemitic act targeting the Jewish community of Belgium.” He announced that security around similar sites would be further reinforced.
The synagogue itself, built in 1899, also houses a museum dedicated to the history and religious life of the Jewish community in Liège.
