Belgian Police Shoot Man After Explosion-Like Noises Heard At Train Station

Belgian police have shot and wounded a man at Brussels Central Station.  

Local media reported that the station had been evacuated and witnesses said there had been a small explosion near the ticket office.  

A police spokesman said an individual had been - as he put it - "neutralised" by guards at the scene; there were no further casualties and the situation was under control. 

He did not confirm media reports that the person had been wearing an explosive belt.

He could only confirm that firefighters were at the scene.

The Belgian capital's Grand Place, a major tourist site, was evacuated along with the station about 200 metres away.

Belgium has been on high alert since suicide bombers killed 32 people on the Brussels subway and at an airport on March 22, 2016.

Brussels Central Station is one of three main terminals in the city.

Brussels prosecutor's office spokeswoman Ine Van Wymersch told VRT network there was a small explosion at the station, one of the nation's busiest, but the damage was limited.

Ms Van Wymersch said authorities were on the scene quickly and a person was shot.

She said, at first sight, no one else appears to have been wounded.

Photos posted on social media showed a small fire in the station, which was evacuated along with the main Brussels square.

Brussels police said via Twitter that there was "an incident with an individual at the station. The situation is under control".