Belgium siege: Hostage taken in Ghent after four gunmen enter apartment

Four gunmen in Belgium have taken a person hostage after they entered an apartment in the north-western city of Ghent.

Police were called after the four armed men were seen entering a building in the Dampoort district of the city on Monday morning (local time).

A spokeswoman for prosecutors said that the four had taken a man hostage there.

"For the time being we have no indication that there is a link to terrorism," she said.

Heavily-armed police have surrounded the area and authorities have urged residents to stay indoors.

• ABC/Reuters*