---
title: "Brussels Daily Press Review — 2026-08-25"
date: 2026-08-25
lang: en
summary: "Saint-Gilles shootings continue as Brussels hits 57 in seven months — and more Brussels news of the day."
tags: ["news","brussels","press-review"]
image: "/news/covers/2026/08/2026-08-25-cover.png"
---
# Brussels Daily Press Review — 2026-08-25
*Overcast, 14 to 25 degrees: Brussels kept the sky grey and the scooters rolling. Très communal, hein.*

## TL;DR
Main Brussels stories today:
- **Saint-Gilles shootings continue as Brussels hits 57 in seven months.** Shots were fired again in Saint-Gilles on Monday around 21:00, the third consecutive day of shootings there.
- Shared scooters and bikes will continue to operate in Brussels.
- Brussels is keeping its yellow drought alert in place despite recent rainfall.
- West Nile virus is now circulating among Brussels birds.

## 🌤️ Weather
☁️ Overcast in Brussels today — between 14°C and 25°C (now 14°C).

## Saint-Gilles shootings continue as Brussels hits 57 in seven months
Shots were fired again in Saint-Gilles on Monday around 21:00, the third consecutive day of shootings there. Mayor Jean Spinette confirmed the incident, while Brussels has now recorded 57 shootings in seven months and six shooting incidents in only a few days. Interior Minister Bernard Quintin is going to Saint-Gilles on Tuesday, and the PS is calling for a meeting with the Justice and Interior ministers.

Sources:
- [Nouveaux tirs à Saint-Gilles pour le troisième jour consécutif - BX1](https://bx1.be/categories/news/nouveaux-tirs-a-saint-gilles-pour-le-troisieme-jour-consecutif/)
- [Voor de derde dag op rij schoten gelost in Sint-Gillis - BRUZZ](https://www.bruzz.be/actua/veiligheid/voor-derde-dag-op-rij-schoten-gelost-sint-gillis-2026-08-25)
- [Gun violence escalates in Brussels again: What's happening? - Brussels Times](https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/2285408/gun-violence-escalates-in-brussels-again-whats-happening/)
- [Shootings in Saint-Gilles for the third consecutive day - Brussels Times](https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/2286297/shootings-in-saint-gilles-for-the-third-consecutive-day/)
- [Brussels shootings: Socialist party PS calls for meeting with Justice and Interior mi... - Brussels Times](https://www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/2285760/brussels-shootings-socialist-party-ps-calls-for-meeting-with-justice-and-interior-ministers/)
- [One person shot in the leg in Molenbeek - Brussels Times](https://www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/2285409/one-person-shot-in-the-leg-in-molenbeek/)
- [One person injured in latest shooting in Saint-Gilles - Brussels Times](https://www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/2285272/one-person-injured-in-latest-shooting-in-saint-gilles/)
- [Brussels records 57 shootings in seven months: New record year looms - Brussels Times](https://www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/2282256/brussels-records-57-shootings-in-first-seven-months-of-2026-new-record-year-looms/)

## Shared scooters and bikes will keep circulating in Brussels
Shared scooters and bikes will continue to operate in Brussels. The decision comes as a relief for operators, whose vehicles remain part of the capital's mobility mix.

Source:
- [Trottinettes et vélos paratgés continueront à circuler dans Bruxelles : un véritable... - BX1](https://bx1.be/categories/news/trottinettes-et-velos-paratges-continueront-a-circuler-dans-bruxelles-un-veritable-soulagement-pour-les-operateurs/)

## Yellow drought alert remains in force despite recent rain
Brussels is keeping its yellow drought alert in place despite recent rainfall. The alert means the region still considers water conditions fragile after the dry spell.

Sources:
- [Sécheresse : le niveau jaune maintenu en Région bruxelloise malgré les récentes préci... - BX1](https://bx1.be/categories/news/secheresse-le-niveau-jaune-maintenu-en-region-bruxelloise-malgre-les-recentes-precipitations/)
- [Yellow drought alert maintained in Brussels - Brussels Times](https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/2286047/yellow-drought-alert-maintained-in-brussels/)

## West Nile virus found in birds in Laeken and Schaerbeek
West Nile virus is now circulating among Brussels birds. Three crows and one magpie found dead in Laeken and Schaerbeek tested positive, according to Environment Brussels. The agency says complications in humans are very rare and that it is following citizen reports closely.

Source:
- [Brusselse vogels besmet met westnijlvirus: ‘Complicaties zijn zeer zeldzaam bij mensen' - BRUZZ](https://www.bruzz.be/actua/biodiversiteit/brusselse-vogels-besmet-met-westnijlvirus-complicaties-zijn-zeer-zeldzaam-bij-mensen-2026-08-25)

## Foire du Midi draws record crowd of more than 1.4 million
The Foire du Midi recorded its highest attendance with more than 1.4 million visitors. The fair remains one of Brussels' major summer gatherings.

Source:
- [Fréquentation record à la Foire du Midi avec plus de 1,4 million de visiteurs - BX1](https://bx1.be/categories/news/frequentation-record-a-la-foire-du-midi-avec-plus-de-14-million-de-visiteurs/)

## Former MIMA building to reopen as a music centre on 2 October
The former MIMA building will become a music centre called JAM Sonor powered by Volta. It opens on 2 October, with organisers saying Brussels needs more of these spaces.

Source:
- [Voormalig MIMA-gebouw wordt muziekcentrum: ‘Brussel heeft nood aan deze ruimtes’ - BRUZZ](https://www.bruzz.be/actua/cultuurnieuws/voormalig-mima-gebouw-wordt-muziekcentrum-brussel-heeft-nood-aan-deze-ruimtes-2026-08-25)

## Brussels pays final tribute to firefighter Olivier Francotte
A final tribute is being held for Brussels firefighter Olivier Francotte at the Koekelberg Basilica. The ceremony gives the city a formal moment of remembrance for a public-service worker.

Source:
- [Final tribute to Brussels firefighter Olivier Francotte at Koekelberg Basilica - Brussels Times](https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/2285335/final-tribute-to-brussels-firefighter-olivier-francotte-at-koekelberg-basilica/)