Belgian synagogue damaged in blast considered antisemitic act

Authorities in Belgium are investigating the blast as a suspected antisemitic attack after an explosion damaged a synagogue in Liège. No injuries were reported, but security around Jewish sites is being reinforced.

Reuters

9 March 2026 at 11:00:46

Belgian synagogue damaged in blast considered antisemitic act

Police secure the site of a synagogue damaged by an explosion early on Monday, in Liege, Belgium, March 9, 2026.

Yves Herman/Reuters

An explosion hit a synagogue in the Belgian city of Liege early on Monday (March 9) in what authorities said was an antisemitic attack that caused damage but no injuries.

The explosion, which happened around 4 a.m. (0300 GMT), blew out the windows of the synagogue, as well as those of a building on the opposite side of the road, public broadcaster RTBF said.

A police officer stands guard at the site of a synagogue damaged by an explosion early on Monday, in Liege, Belgium, March 9, 2026. REUTERS/Yves Herman

FILE PHOTO: People gather near the scene, after a report of an incident in which a car was driven at pedestrians and a stabbing attack, near a synagogue in north Manchester, Britain, October 2, 2025. REUTERS/Phil Noble

The cause was not clear, but prosecutors said the case had been passed to federal authorities, which normally investigate incidents linked to terrorism or organized crime.

Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin called the explosion "a despicable antisemitic act that directly targeted the Jewish community of Belgium."

He said security measures around similar sites will continue to be reinforced.

Police have cordoned off the largely residential street on the bank of the river Meuse opposite Liege city center.

Federal prosecutors declined to give further details of the incident.

Production: Christian Levaux, Marta Fiorin/Reuters