Brussels attacks: Tram evacuated over fears 'bag containing bomb thrown on board' as tensions remain high

The alert was believed to be a false alarm as the city remains tense after Tuesday's attacks

The incident was in the Schaerbeek district, where a terror suspect was shot and arrested on Friday (EPA)

Armed police have surrounded a tram in Brussels over fears a bomb was planted on board as the Belgian capital remains on high alert.

The tram was stopped near Brussels-North railway station on Saturday morning as the “suspicious package” was investigated.

“Someone threw a bag inside the tram at the Gare du Nord stop and fled,” a source told RTL Info. “Trams have been diverted and police are at the scene.”

A security perimeter was set up and a police helicopter was seen flying over the area as part of the Belgian capital's public transport network was shut down.

The incident was found to be a false alarm and the cordon was lifted around half an hour later.

Tensions remain high following the bombings that killed at least 31 people on Tuesday and a series of high profile police raids around the city.

The tram alert was in Schaerbeek area, where a terror suspect was shot and arrested on Friday.

The area is also home to the flat where attackers prepared for their massacres at Brussels Airport and Maelbeek Metro station.