2 dead, 15 hurt in Belgian shooting

BRUSSELS: 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. (AFP)