Brussels cancels New Year fireworks show amid terrorist attack

Authorities in the Belgian capital Brussels have decided to cancel the city's fireworks show on New Year's Eve amid high alert for possible terrorist attacks.

"Together with the interior minister, we have decided not to organise festivities on Thursday evening" in Brussels, the mayor of Brussels Yvan Mayeur said on Wednesday, Xinhua reported.

According to Mayeur, the city's Christmas markets will remain open, and measures will be taken to ensure the safety of people who visit the city centre and restaurants.

The decision was made after the arrest of two people suspected of preparing terrorist attacks in Brussels during New Year celebrations. They were detained during police raids carried out in Brussels and in the Liege region since last weekend.

The Belgian Ministry of Interior announced on December 15 that terror threat level will be maintained at level three out of a possible four until the end of the year throughout Belgium.