Spokesman Christian De Coninck said Tuesday that the driver has said he was trying to commit suicide.

A palace official said all the injured were policemen, and they were parked on the street outside the gates when the vehicle drove into them.

She said the policemen been escorting the ambassador of Qatar to the palace, but he was inside, presenting his credentials to King Albert II at the time.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to speak to the media.