An explosion, described by authorities as a criminal and antisemitic act, severely damaged a synagogue in Liège in the early hours of the morning. The blast occurred around 4 a.m., shattering the building’s main window and causing significant material damage to surrounding properties. No injuries have been reported.
Mayor Condemns “Extremely Violent Act”
Liège Mayor Willy Demeyer (PS) issued a forceful condemnation, labeling the explosion an antisemitic attack. He expressed his “total disapproval of this extremely violent act of antisemitism, which is contrary to Liège’s tradition of respect for others.” The mayor stressed, “There can be no question of importing external conflicts into our city.”
Scene of Devastation
A local resident described being awakened by the blast. “Just opposite the synagogue, there was an explosive and my entire facade, all the windows were blown out and everything exploded,” the witness said. Police have cordoned off the area, which remains closed for the ongoing investigation. White sheeting has been erected around the synagogue to shield the site from view.
Terrorism Investigators Take Lead
The federal judicial police’s terrorism division from Liège is leading the preliminary investigation. As a precaution, the Defense Department’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Destruction Service (SEDEE) has been dispatched to the scene. Their expertise is standard protocol for explosions of a potentially criminal nature.
