Eyewitnesses told the hostage-taking unfolded at about 7 p.m. local time, in a Carrefour chain store, after what they claimed was a robbery attempt gone wrong.
Those who managed to leave the supermarket said the suspect was armed with a knife, and forced shoppers to lie down on the floor, RT reports.
The area was quickly sealed off, and a special team, supported by a helicopter, was sent to disarm the suspect.
Within minutes, the man, who appeared to have issued no demands, was apprehended.
While there has been no suggestion that the hostage-taking was a terrorist attack, police and residents in the Belgian capital have been on high alert over potential incidents in public places, following a deadly airport and train station bombing in the city in March this year.
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