City2 bomb alarm was false, belt contained salt and biscuits

A man was arrested on Tuesday morning at the City2 shopping mall in Brussels' Rue Neuve after the police received a call from the suspect himself, saying he was wearing a bomb belt. No explosives were found, writes De Morgen based on a report from the Brussels public prosecutor.

Police received a call from the 26-year-old J.B. around 5.30 on Tuesday. The man claimed he was kidnapped and forced to wear a bomb belt before being dropped at City2.

Police and military immediately set up a secure perimeter around the site, and part of Rue Neuve was closed, as were many shops in the street.

J.B. was arrested by police and taken in for questioning. The vehicle in which he was allegedly held captive was found in Schaerbeek. The owner of the car is also being questioned.

An initial investigation found that the fake bomb belt contained salt and biscuits.