Shocked and outraged, the whole nation of Belgium has condemned Thursday's shooting spree by an 18- year-old man which left a Malian woman and a native Flemish child dead and a Turkish woman severely wounded.

Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt said that he spoke for the whole government in expressing his revulsion at the shooting.

The shootings were "horrible, cowardly murders and a form of extreme racism", he said, adding that the society must not become involved in a round of spiraling violence.

"It must now be clear to one and all where far-right ideas can lead to," Verhofstadt said.

The Mayor of Antwerp, Patrick Janssens, also expressed his shock, saying people were powerless when confronted with such acts of random violence.

"We should realize that we live in an ethnically diverse city and we should be on our guard against extremist philosophies, which preach hatred and violence," he said.

The far-right Flemish Interest party was quick to declare that it is not linked to the murders in any way. Party chairman Frank Vanhecke said the suspect was not a member of the party and condemned the killings.

King Albert has indicated he will send a letter of condolences to the family of the three victims.

Minority groups also condemned the shooting and called on those in power to take measures against extreme right movements and eliminate racism.

"This cowardly murder may not drive the population groups in Antwerp apart," said a statement from several immigrant associations.

"This must stop. The leaders of the far right parties are, at the least, morally responsible for these appalling deeds," the statement said.

On Thursday morning, Hans van Themsche, 18, shot and wounded a 47-year-old Turkish woman in the center of Antwerp, and then killed a pregnant Malian woman and a two-year-old native Flemish girl in her care.

His rampage ended when a police officer shot him in the stomach. He is to undergo police questioning in hospital on Friday.

Van Themsche has been identified as the nephew of Flemish Interest legislator Frieda van Themsche. His father was also a member of the extreme right party, the successor of the Flemish Block which was convicted of racism in 2004.

Source: Xinhua