Brussels buckles under gun violence

Brussels has clearly become the epicentre of gun violence in Belgium. That’s the conclusion of new figures from the Gun Violence Incident Monitor (GVIM), an initiative of the Flemish Peace Institute. “Our capital has turned into an international hotspot for organised crime,” says Brussels MP Mathias Vanden Borre.

Capital of gunfire

In 2024, no fewer than 71 firearm-related incidents were recorded in Brussels—86% of which involved actual gunfire. That puts the capital well ahead of other cities, such as Antwerp, where shots were fired in just 34% of the 29 reported incidents. The toll in Brussels is staggering: at least 13 people killed and 44 injured so far this year.

For Mathias Vanden Borre, the figures confirm what he’s been warning about for years: “These new GVIM numbers validate what I’ve been saying all along: due to a fragmented and lenient approach to drug gangs, Brussels has become the capital of shootouts. Until a few years ago, Minister-President Rudi Vervoort refused to acknowledge the presence of dangerous gangs in the city. Look where we are now.”

A lack of leadership

According to Mathias Vanden Borre, the Brussels government has failed spectacularly. He is calling for immediate action: “A scattered hotspot strategy without clear leadership offers no real solution to this crisis. Brussels needs a unified and decisive approach—without delay.”