Four men with guns entered an apartment in Belgian's western city, Ghent, prompting police to block off a wide area around the building.

The gunmen have taken one male hostage, according to reports.

Annemie Serlippens, spokeswoman for the police, said it was unlikely the incident was an act of terror: "There appears to be nothing political. And it does not seem to be going that way." Police began operations in Ghent's working class Dampoort neighborhood, where the gunmen are supposed to have occupied the apartment.

A similar incident linked to extortion occurred two months ago in Ghent, the Associated Press quoted local media as reporting.

mg/es (dpa, Reuters, AFP)