Belgium Canceled Fireworks on New Year’s Eve Because of Terrorist Threats

The country remains on alert.

Image via Chris/Flickr

New Year’s Eve marks the time when people gather in masses to watch intricate fireworks displays just as the clock strikes midnight. However, Belgian authorities canceled the tradition in the capital city of Brussels on Wednesday based on fears of an attack.

After erring on the side of caution, police have detained six individuals who planned to carry out said attack during the previously planned festivities. According to the Huffington Post, it all went down as officers were searching houses on Thursday. They confiscated computers, mobile phones and even equipment for airsoft—a sport with guns that shoot plastic pellets but aren’t deadly.

This comes after two others were arrested earlier this week for planning a terrorist attack. Said S. and Mohammed K. were part of the Kamikazi Riders, a motorcycle group whose members perform bike stunts and post the videos online.

Belgium has remained on level three alert, meaning a possible serious threat, since the Paris attacks in November. 

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