Brussels central station evacuated after explosion

The Brussels Central Station was evacuated Tuesday evening after a small explosion occurred within the station, local authorities confirmed.

The Brussels police department said on Twitter that the situation is now under control.

According to the Brussels public prosecutor's office, the explosion did not cause any casualties and injuries.

The explosion occurred shortly before 21:00 local time (1900 GMT).

Local media quoted some witness as saying that the explosion was caused by a man with an explosive belt, who was neutralized by soldiers afterwards.

Unconfirmed sources say that the man was shot.

A witness told local media that the man was seen lying on the floor inside the station, with wires coming out of his clothes.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel and Interior Minister Jan Jambon are following the situation "very closely" from the crisis control center," said the prime minister's spokesperson Frederic Cauderlier.

The incoming mayor of Brussels Philippe Close went to the site.

The metro lines 1 and 5, which pass through the station, were closed following police order.

The nearby Grand Place, a popular tourist destination, was also evacuated, media reports say.

A large number of police and soldiers are deployed around these two sites in the heart of Brussels.

Brussels has been on high alert after two terrorist attacks rocked the city's airport and metro systems on March 22, 2016, killing 32 people and injuring many more.