BREAKING: 'Suspicious white powder' found in envelopes in Brussels' Grand Mosque sparks mass evacuation over anthrax fears as 11 people are sent to decontamination units

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A suspected anthrax scare has forced the sudden evacuation of Brussels Grand mosque as chemical teams were called to the religious building. 

'Suspicious white powder' was found in envelopes at the mosque, according to local media. At least 11 people have been sent to decontamination units to undergo testing for the deadly disease.

Firecrews and decontamination teams attended a major mosque in Brussels close to the European Union headquarters. 

'Suspicious white powder was found in envelopes at the mosque, according to local media. 11 people are thought to be in hospital

A police officer stand guard near the Grand Mosque in Brussels following the anthrax scare

Witnesses saw about a dozen emergency vehicles, including police, outside the Islamic and Cultural Centre of Belgium, a large Saudi-established institution including a mosque situated 200 metres (yards) from the European Commission.

A spokeswoman for the fire service said it had taken a call from the mosque from a person saying they believed that they had found anthrax powder.

The terrifying discovery prompted the deployment of specialist crews. However there has been no immediate word on what the substance was. 

A spokeswoman for the fire service said it had taken a call from the mosque from a person saying they believed that they had found anthrax powder

Firecrews and decontamination teams attended a major mosque in Brussels close to the European Union headquarters

Brussels has been on high alert following the revelation that the Paris attack was planned in Belgium 

A chemicals expert prepares to go inside the mosque where the substances were found

At least 11 people were taken to decontamination units to undergo further testing

Security members standby after the mosque was evacuated following the shocking discovery

Since the Paris attacks on Nov. 13 by French and Belgian Islamic State militants, there have been reports of threats against mosques used by Belgium's half million Muslims, among them some from an unknown group calling itself Christian State.

Belgium only announced today that it was ending its state of lockdown, following five days of heavy security and extra precautions in the country's main cities. 

The metro, schools and shops had been closed after concerns that an 'imminent and severe' terror threat was due to strike in Brussels.

Police continue to hunt for Paris massacre gunman Salah Abdeslam and his driver Mohammed Abrini. 

Both men were stopped in their car at checkpoint near the Belgian border. After being questioned by the police, the wanted men were allowed to pass over the border.

The shocking failure of the police has led to heightened security in both France and Belgium, where security services have been playing catch up following the horrific terror attacks.