Brussels mosque attacked, imam dies, newspapers report

BRUSSELS – Belgian newspapers are reporting that a mosque near Brussels has been attacked with a Molotov cocktail and that the imam has died.

Le Soir newspaper says a man entered a Shiite mosque in Anderlecht, a suburb of Brussels, shortly before 7 p.m. local time (1 p.m. EST) on Monday armed with an ax, Molotov cocktails and a can of gasoline. The newspaper reports that the man broke windows and threw the incendiary devices inside.

Le Soir's report cites city and Muslim community leaders.

It says the imam, whom it reported to be 47 years old, died trying to extinguish the flames. The attack was also reported by De Standaard newspaper.

Le Soir says hundreds of people have gathered outside the mosque in shock.