Two dead, 15 hurt in shooting attack in Belgian city

BRUSSELS - Agence France-Presse

Rescuers evacuate injured people at the Place Saint Lambert square where two men threw explosives in the city center of the Belgian city of Liege December 13, 2011. REUTERS Photo

Two people were killed and around 15 wounded Tuesday when gunmen opened fire on a busy central square in the eastern Belgian city of Liege, Belga news agency quoted police as saying.

At least two gunmen armed with a Kalashnikov and flash grenades were involved in the lunch hour attack, it added.
 
The attack took place around noon on Saint-Lambert square, home to the town's courthouse and located near a busy Christmas market.
 
One of the assailants was killed while another fled inside the courthouse, where members of a crack police squad were taking up position.
 
Police denied reports of a later shoot-out further across town, the news agency said.
 
It said several "suspect" objects were found on the square and that police bomb defusal experts were on the way.
 
RTL-TV1 earlier said the assailants threw stun grenades into the courthouse while one was hurled at a bus shelter.
 
Police cordoned off the square.
 
Police were not immediately available for comment.