Brussels Remains Shut Down Amid Terror Threat

Brussels will remain in lockdown for the third straight day today, on the highest terrorism alert. Belgian officials said a suspected terror cell will launch an imminent assault, a follow-up to the deadly Paris attacks.

Schools, universities, and the city’s subway system will remain closed, and NATO instructed nonessential personnel to stay home. Security also was tightened around the buildings that house the European Commission.

The usually bustling city was quiet over the weekend, as everything was closed to tourists and all public activities were canceled.

Authorities haven’t disclosed the names of those arrested in the raids Sunday. A judge will decide Monday whether to keep them in custody, the prosecutor said.

Belgium’s Prime Minister Charles Michel said Sunday a cell was planning an attack similar to the one in Paris, to simultaneously strike several crowded areas, like shopping malls and public transportation.

The city’s lockdown began Friday night, as security forces began their search for suspects involved in the potential terror plot. Authorities detained 21 people in connection with their investigation after a series of raids last night. The suspected Paris attacks gunman, Salah Abdeslam, remains at large, officials said.

— Jessica Montevago