SUMMARY:
- There were two explosions at Brussels Zaventem Airport at around 7am UK time.
- About an hour later there was an explosion on a Metro train at Maelbeek station, near the city’s EU quarter.
- The Islamic State terror group (IS) has claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying they opened fire in the airport and “several” members detonated suicide belts. IS said a suicide bomber was also responsible for the Metro attack.
- The death toll is at least 34. Fourteen people are reported to have been killed at the airport and 20 in the explosion on the Metro.
- The attacks are believed to have injured at least 198 people. Of those, at least one person is British and was injured at the airport, Downing Street said.
- The attack at the airport targeted an American Airlines desk. Local media reported that shouts in Arabic were heard as shots were fired.
- One or two Kalashnikov rifles were found in the airport departure lounge after the attacks and at least one suitcase bomb exploded there, security officials are reported to have said.
- The injuries of a number of victims indicate there were nails in at least one of the bombs at the airport, someone from Gasthuisberg hospital in Leuven indicated. Marc Decramer told local media the hospital is treating 11 people for wounds probably caused by flying glass and nails.
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Terror strikes Brussels
The coordinated attacks came as the Belgian capital was on a high level of alert following the arrest of Paris atrocity suspect Salah Abdeslam in the city last week.
There were unconfirmed reports of shots being fired and shouting in Arabic at the airport in what Belgian media said was a suicide attack.
Footage from inside the building showed a scene of devastation with ceiling tiles strewn across the floor and suitcases abandoned.
Passengers were led onto the tarmac and travellers were urged to stay away from the airport.
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Explosions rock Brussels Zaventem airport and city Metro station
On the Metro, traveller Evan Lamos tweeted a picture of passengers climbing from his train into the tunnel in scenes reminiscent of images after the July 7 attacks in London.
We are being evacuated from the back of the Metro, between Schuman and Maelbeek.
— Evan Lamos (@evanlamos) March 22, 2016
This was the scene a short while ago, between the Arts-Lois and Maelbeek metro stations in Brussels. pic.twitter.com/aTZjqsF7Gt
— Evan Lamos (@evanlamos) March 22, 2016
I will be chairing a COBRA meeting on the events in Brussels later this morning.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) March 22, 2016
I am shocked and concerned by the events in Brussels. We will do everything we can to help.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) March 22, 2016
Pour le moment, nous demandons à la population d'éviter tout déplacement. Call centre de centre de crise : 1771.
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) March 22, 2016
And British officials in Brussels are being advised by the Foreign Office to avoid crowded places and the public transport network.
Foreign Office open helpline for anyone concerned for friends / family: +44 207 008 000
Meanwhile, police numbers have been stepped up at key locations around the UK in the wake of the Brussels attacks.
The country’s most senior counter-terrorism officer said the move was a precaution.
Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, of the Metropolitan Police, said: “Our thoughts are with the people of Brussels following this morning’s horrific attacks.
“As a precaution forces across the UK have increased policing presence at key locations, including transport hubs, to protect the public and provide reassurance.
“This is not in relation to any specific information or intelligence.”
In London, additional officers have been mobilised, he added.
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