Outrage over girl’s ‘drug war’ death as Belgium’s cocaine haul breaks records

11-year-old shot dead in Antwerp believed to be victim of rival drug gangs as cocaine seizures hit record high

Belgian politicians have expressed outrage over the fatal shooting of an 11-year-old girl in Antwerp in a drug war" between rival gangs, as authorities said cocaine seizures at the city's port passed the 100-tonne mark for the first time last year.

Figures showing an unprecedented interception of cocaine at Antwerp, Europe's second largest port, were released on Tuesday, as shock reverberated over the death of the girl. The child, who was hit in a shooting in the Merksem district on Monday evening was described by the city's mayor, Bart de Wever, as the innocent victim of a drugs war.