A lion which escaped from Planckendael Zoo in Belgium was shot dead by zookeepers.

The lioness escaped her enclosure at roughly 9.45am local time and was reported to be roaming around the park.

School children visiting the zoo were being kept on a bus but a teacher said it was "not easy to keep them calm".

Terrified teachers were told by police: "Do not step out of the bus, a lion has escaped".

The animal roamed around the park for more than an hour and was too panicked to be stunned so zookeepers shot her dead.

(Image: VTM NEWS)

(Image: Getty)

Up to 40 people visitors huddled for safety in the zoo gift shop while zoo officials tried to deal with the escaped animal.

It is not known how the animal escaped.

The zoo reopened shortly after midday.

On Twitter the zoo said that they killed the lion "after two failed anaesthetic attempts" and said there was no risk to visitors or staff.

Visitor Caitlin Cant told VTM news: "We arrived here and immediately had to go to the souvenir shop.

"Some classmates are still in their car in the parking lot.

"Classmates who were on their way were sent back home. Meanwhile, we have received water from the staff. In total there are about forty people waiting for news. "

A couple from Antwerp visiting the zoo says they first thought it was a 'joke' and said "they did not feel unsafe" during the emergency.

The lion got out just after opening time so few people were at the zoo, 19 miles north of Belgian capital Brussels.

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Earlier this month a bear was shot dead after it broke out of a German zoo during a storm.

The animal escaped from Eifel Zoo in Lunebach after their enclosures were reportedly damaged in a storm with footage showing floodwaters raging through the region.