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Brussels Zaventem airport blasts cause casualties Brussels Zaventem airport and metro explosions 'kill at least 13'
(35 minutes later)
Two blasts have struck the departures area of Zaventem airport in Brussels. Several explosions have struck Brussels airport and the metro system, causing at least 13 deaths, Belgian media say.
The Belgian government has confirmed casualties but has given no numbers. The cause of the explosions is unknown. Two blasts tore through the departures area of Zaventem airport shortly after 08:00 local time (07:00 GMT).
Another explosion has now been reported at the Maelbeek metro station close to the EU institutions. The whole metro system has been closed. An hour later, an explosion hit Maalbeek metro station, close to the EU institutions. The airport and whole metro system have been closed.
The blasts come four days after the capture in Brussels of Salah Abdeslam, the main suspect in the jihadist attacks in Paris on 13 November 2015. The attacks come four days after Salah Abdeslam, the main suspect in the Paris attacks, was captured in Brussels.
The Belgian government has confirmed casualties at the airport but has given no numbers. The cause of the explosions is unknown.
Belgium has now raised its terror threat to its highest level.Belgium has now raised its terror threat to its highest level.
Brussels airport blasts - latest updatesBrussels airport blasts - latest updates
Emergency services are clearing the airport completely. Belgium's Het Laatste Nieuws reports that more bombs have been found. Belgian broadcaster VRT said that in addition to the dead at the airport, at least 35 people were severely injured.
The airport is being evacuated and has been closed to flights. Emergency services are clearing the airport completely. Belgium's Het Laatste Nieuws reports that more bombs were found.
The Belga news agency reports that shots were fired and shouts in Arabic were heard before the two explosions.The Belga news agency reports that shots were fired and shouts in Arabic were heard before the two explosions.
Images on social media showed smoke rising from one of the buildings, amid reports of panic as people fled the airport. Images on social media showed panic as people fled the airport.
Rail transport to the facility has been halted and people have been told not to come to the airport. Rail transport to the airport has been halted and people have been told not to come.
All flights have been diverted.All flights have been diverted.
Other reports say at least one of the explosions was close to the American Airlines check-in area but this has not been confirmed.Other reports say at least one of the explosions was close to the American Airlines check-in area but this has not been confirmed.
The Belgian broadcaster RTBF quoted a witness as saying there were people injured or unconscious in the departure area, opposite the Sheraton hotel.The Belgian broadcaster RTBF quoted a witness as saying there were people injured or unconscious in the departure area, opposite the Sheraton hotel.
Niels Caignau, a Swissport employee, told Flemish broadcaster VRT: "I was on a break and heard and felt a big explosion - we have from here a view over the departure hall and saw a plume of smoke come out.Niels Caignau, a Swissport employee, told Flemish broadcaster VRT: "I was on a break and heard and felt a big explosion - we have from here a view over the departure hall and saw a plume of smoke come out.
"The windows are completely shattered. People went outside in shock. It doesn't look good.""The windows are completely shattered. People went outside in shock. It doesn't look good."
There are few reports yet about the metro blast. Owen Li, a financial services worker from London, told the BBC he was in the affected check-in area 30 minutes before the explosions.
"I was eating my breakfast and then suddenly everyone was running towards us. People didn't know what to do. They thought it was just an exercise. Some still stayed at the restaurant but slowly people realised it was real."
There are few details yet about the metro blast, but there are some reports of casualties.
It occurred shortly after 08:00 GMT during the rush hour at Maalbeek station, with TV images showing smoke billowing from the entrance.
The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, has told employees to stay indoors or at home. All meetings at EU institutions have been cancelled.
Belgium's Interior Minister Jan Jambon had said on Monday that the country was on the highest level of alert for possible revenge attacks after the capture of Salah Abdeslam.Belgium's Interior Minister Jan Jambon had said on Monday that the country was on the highest level of alert for possible revenge attacks after the capture of Salah Abdeslam.
He told Belgian radio: "We know that stopping one cell can... push others into action. We are aware of it in this case."He told Belgian radio: "We know that stopping one cell can... push others into action. We are aware of it in this case."
Zaventem airport is 11km (7 miles) north-east of Brussels and dealt with more than 23 million passengers last year.Zaventem airport is 11km (7 miles) north-east of Brussels and dealt with more than 23 million passengers last year.
Are you at Zaventem airport in Brussels? If it is safe for you to do so please share your eyewitness accounts to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you at Zaventem airport in Brussels? If it is safe for you to do so please share your eyewitness accounts to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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