Belgium Terror Alert: Brussels Lockdown Sparked by Fears That Paris Terrorist Is in City

Soldiers patrol the Rue Neuve pedestrian shopping street in Brussels on November 21, 2015. All metro train stations in Brussels will be closed on November 21, the city's public transport network said after Belgium raised the capital's terror alert to the highest level, warning of an "imminent threat." AFP/Getty Images

Belgium’s capital locked down early on November 21 as the country raised its threat levels amidst fears of an impending terror attack.

The city’s metro system was shut down entirely as wide swaths of the city saw shops close, shopping malls scale back services, and live events like concerts and pro soccer matches get canceled or postponed.

The lockdown was based on fears that a Paris-style attack could happen, said Belgian prime minister Charles Michel.

“Following a new assessment, the terror alert level has been raised to level four, very serious, for the Brussels region,” said a government statement. “Analysis shows a serious and imminent threat that requires taking specific security measures as well as specific recommendations for the public.”

The fear was that “several individuals with arms and explosives could launch an attack... perhaps even in several places,” Michel told reporters.

Police detain a man in handcuffs, left, after stopping and searching his car which had French number plates, in Brussels , Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015. Belgium raised its security level to its highest degree on Saturday as the manhunt continues for extremist Salah Abdeslam who took part in the Paris attacks. AP Photo/Virginia Mayo