Bomb hits crime laboratory in Brussels

A bomb has exploded at the Brussels Institute of Criminology in the north of Brussels but the building was empty and no one was wounded, according to local media.

A car rammed through the barriers at about 3:00am on Monday and one or more attackers exploded a bomb near the laboratories, causing them to catch fire, broadcaster RTL said.

According to state broadcaster RTBF, no one was injured but that damage at the site was significant.

Police have been deployed in force and sealed off the area.

The institute is in Neder-Over-Hembeek, a suburb north of Brussels. It is linked to the Belgian ministry of justice and carries out forensic investigations in criminal cases.