Belgian police detain 16 people as raids continue overnight

A series of 19 raids have been carried out across Belgium by police overnight, 16 people were detained.

The raids were searches in context of the investigation of the Paris attacks.

Some of the raids took place in Molenbeek – the neighborhood where some of the suspects in the Paris attacks lived, but the fugitive sought, hasn’t been located.

The country has been shut down since Saturday after Vice Prime Minister Didier Reynders revealed they are looking for “one and more individuals with weapons, explosives” and the terror threat level in Brussels has been raised to 4 – the highest level.

“The threat is imminent, precise,” Reynders said on Belgian television network RTL. “We’re talking about possible attacks by several individuals, heavily armed.”

Michel said there was a “threat of attacks with arms and explosives that could be launched in several locations at the same time.” Michel added the decision to raise the alert level was made based on “rather precise” information.

Earlier Sunday sections of the city were closed off by armed officers, with pedestrians told to stay away from the area and local residents to stay away from the windows.

Due to the high terror threat level, schools and the subway system will be closed today along with the US Embassy.

Other transportation options such as trams, will operate on a limited basis, a statement from the US Consulate said.