BRUSSELS (AP) - Belgian authorities tightened security Thursday in the port city of Antwerp after a Frenchman drove his car at high speed through a busy shopping area, forcing pedestrians to jump out of the way.

French President Francois Hollande compared the incident to the attack in London that that left three people dead Wednesday, saying the Frenchman was "trying to kill people or create a dramatic event."

The federal prosecutor's office said the car was intercepted late Thursday morning at the port docks and police arrested a man, identified as 39-year-old Mohamed R. , who has been living in France.

FILE - In this Jan. 17, 2015 file photo, Belgian para-commandos patrol near a synagogue in the center of Antwerp, Belgium. Belgian authorities on Thursday, March said they have raised security in the port of Antwerp after a car with French license plates drove at high speed through a busy shopping street, forcing pedestrians to jump out of the way. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

In the car, authorities said they found knives, a shotgun and a gas can with an unknown liquid. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Authorities immediately raised security in the center of Antwerp.

At first sight, the incident appeared to have the hallmarks of several extremist attacks in Europe - a vehicle in a busy area bent on mowing down pedestrians. Trucks were used last year in deadly attacks in Nice and Berlin, and an SUV was used Wednesday in London, where three people died in a rampage close to the British Parliament. The attacker was shot dead by police.

The office said "because of these elements, and the events in London yesterday, the case is being taken on by the federal prosecutor's office," which usually deals with extremist attacks.

Prime Minister Charles Michel said "we remain vigilant. Our security services have done excellent work." He also expressed sincere condolences to British Prime Minister Theresa May, saying the two nations are "working in close cooperation with our security and intelligence services."

The high-speed event happened a day after Belgium held anniversary remembrance services for the Brussels airport and subway attacks, which killed 32 people on March 22, 2016.

Belgium has been living under the second highest anti-terror alarm ever since. Soldiers in the busy shopping street Thursday were immediately involved in trying to control and stop the car, which was speeding away at high speed.

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Associated Press writer Philippe Sotto contributed from Paris

FILE - In this Dec. 8, 2011 file photo, people walk down the main shopping street called the Meir in Antwerp, Belgium. Belgian authorities on Thursday, March 23, 2017 said they have raised security in the port of Antwerp after a car with French license plates drove at high speed through a busy shopping street, forcing pedestrians to jump out of the way. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File)

French president Francois Hollande, center, delivers his speech to inaugurate the French Anticorruption Agency, at Bercy Economy ministry in Paris, Thursday, March 23, 2017. The French Anticorruption Agency is a public organization focusing on business activity, the latest move in government efforts to fight corruption. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, Pool)

FILE - In this Jan. 17, 2015 file photo, Belgian para-commandos patrol near a synagogue in the center of Antwerp, Belgium. Belgian authorities on Thursday, March said they have raised security in the port of Antwerp after a car with French license plates drove at high speed through a busy shopping street, forcing pedestrians to jump out of the way. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

People release white balloons during the one-year anniversary for Brussels attacks victims at the Bourse in Brussels on Wednesday, March 22, 2017. Belgian leaders, victims and families of those who died in the suicide bomb attacks on the Brussels airport and subway are marking the first anniversary of the attacks, which killed 32 people and wounded more than 300 others. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)