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Brussels airport: casualties reported after explosions – live updates Brussels explosions: blasts near EU building and at airport – live updates
(35 minutes later)
8.42am GMT
08:42
David Cameron expresses shock and concern
David Cameron has expressed his shock and concern.
I am shocked and concerned by the events in Brussels. We will do everything we can to help.
Other world leaders have tweeted similar sentiments.
Terrible acts of terrorism in #Brussels. Stand in solidarity with all those affected.
Terrible feeling "not if but when", Latvia stands together with Brussels and Belgium in solidarity against terrorism
Shocked by the news on explosions at #Brusselsairport . Following developments closely. Stay safe! @BrusselsAirport @ACI_EUROPE
Shocking news coming in from #Brussels today. My sincere condolences to all victims' families.
I am deeply shocked about the terrorist attack in the #Brussels airport. On behalf of the Georgian people, I express solidarity.
Horrible news from #Brussels. If blasts are an act of terrorism, we strongly condemn it as no political aims can be achieved by violence.
8.39am GMT
08:39
Sky News has the latest video from the metro station blast and the explosions at the airport.
8.35am GMT
08:35
Angelique Chrisafis
According to French media reports, there were two explosions minutes apart just before 8am at Brussels airport – one in the departures area and one on or near the runway, writes Angelique Chrisafis.
A false ceiling collapsed, causing lots of dust and smoke.
The departures area had easy access to the public, but the runway area would have been closed to public access and raises questions about how the explosion could have happened there.
Updated
at 8.41am GMT
8.31am GMT
08:31
Hospital source says 10 dead
The Belgian broadcaster RTBF says up to 10 people were killed and 30 wounded in the airport explosions. It cited a hospital source for the figures, according to Reuters.
8.29am GMT
08:29
Metro system closed
The entire Metro system in Brussels has been closed.
Fermeture du métro #STIBSluiting van alle metrostations #MIVBAll metro stations are closing #Brussels @zpz_polbru
8.25am GMT
08:25
Reports of metro station blast.
There are unconfirmed reports of an attack at a Brussels metro station close to the EU buildings at Maalbeek.
Explosión metro maalbeek pic.twitter.com/9KIEhLMOin
Explosion et évacuation de la station Maalbeek. Explosion in metro station Maalbeek #Brussels #Zaventem.
Updated
at 8.26am GMT
8.23am GMT
08:23
Extraordinary video has emerged of the aftermath of the airport blast.
One of the first video in Brussels terminal right after the explosion. Reports of shouts in Arabic and shots. https://t.co/hTXYe5yFOE
Updated
at 8.27am GMT
8.22am GMT
08:22
Here’s where the blasts took place.
8.21am GMT
08:21
Belgium PM 'following minute-by-minute'
Belgium’s prime minister, Charles Michel, says his government is monitoring the situation minute-by-minute. In a tweet he said the “top priority” was the victims of the blasts.
Nous suivons la situation minute par minute. La priorité absolue va aux victimes et aux personnes présentes dans l'aéroport @BrusselsAirport
Updated
at 8.42am GMT
8.19am GMT
08:19
Le Soir confirms that terror alert level has been increased to the maximum of four.
Alerte Le niveau de menace terroriste est relevé au niveau 4 sur l'ensemble de la Belgique https://t.co/HXtRrSj1yT pic.twitter.com/BPceOyxXav
8.15am GMT
08:15
The Belgian government has put the country on the highest alert level in the wake of the explosions, according to a reporter for the Belga news agency.
Le niveau d'alerte passe à 4 (maximum) sur l'ensemble du pays, annonce Jan Jambon #Belga #BrusselsAirport #Bruxelles #Zaventem
Updated
at 8.43am GMT
8.12am GMT
08:12
Police confirm one dead
Belgium Police have confirmed that at least one person was killed in the explosion, AP reports.
“One person has died and perhaps there are several more,” a police official said.
8.11am GMT
08:11
The Belgian news agency Belga said shots were fired and there were shouts in Arabic shortly before the explosions, Reuters reports.
It provides this context:
The blasts occurred four days after the arrest in Brussels of a suspected participant in November militant attacks in Paris that killed 130 people. Belgian police had been on alert for any reprisal action.
Salah Abdeslam, the prime surviving suspect for November’s Paris attacks on a stadium, cafes and a concert hall, was captured by Belgian police after a shootout on Friday.
Belgium’s interior minister, Jan Jambon, said on Monday the country was on high alert for a possible revenge attack following the capture of 26-year-old Abdeslam.
“We know that stopping one cell can ... push others into action. We are aware of it in this case,” he told public radio.
French investigator François Molins told a news conference in Paris on Saturday that Abdeslam, a French citizen born and raised in Brussels, admitted to investigators he had wanted to blow himself up along with others at the Stade de France on the night of the attack claimed by Islamic State; but he later backed out.
Updated
at 8.43am GMT
8.03am GMT8.03am GMT
08:0308:03
The explosion is reported to have taken place at the American Airlines area of the departure hall.The explosion is reported to have taken place at the American Airlines area of the departure hall.
Update: Several injuries reported after large explosions at @AmericanAir departure hall pic.twitter.com/1DzSHS2b3lUpdate: Several injuries reported after large explosions at @AmericanAir departure hall pic.twitter.com/1DzSHS2b3l
8.00am GMT8.00am GMT
08:0008:00
Pictures are emerging from Brussels airportPictures are emerging from Brussels airport
8.00am GMT8.00am GMT
08:0008:00
Brussels airport has been closed and flights have been cancelled.Brussels airport has been closed and flights have been cancelled.
Don't come to the airport - airport is being evacuated. Avoid the airport area. Flights have been cancelled.Don't come to the airport - airport is being evacuated. Avoid the airport area. Flights have been cancelled.
7.54am GMT7.54am GMT
07:5407:54
There are unconfirmed reports that 11 people have been killed in the blasts.There are unconfirmed reports that 11 people have been killed in the blasts.
A local journalist cited firefighters for the death of 11. The Belgian news agency Belga said one person was killed and several injured. A local journalist cited firefighters for the death toll of 11. The Belgian news agency Belga said one person was killed and several injured.
BREAKING: Firefighters report 11 dead and 25 wounded in #Zaventem airport explosions https://t.co/g7freWwKnsBREAKING: Firefighters report 11 dead and 25 wounded in #Zaventem airport explosions https://t.co/g7freWwKns
Update: At least 11 dead, 20 injured at #Brussels airport explosionUpdate: At least 11 dead, 20 injured at #Brussels airport explosion
Graphic images have emerged showing some of those injured in the blasts.Graphic images have emerged showing some of those injured in the blasts.
Updated
at 8.44am GMT
7.47am GMT7.47am GMT
07:4707:47
Brussels Airport has confirmed there have two explosions and that the airport has been evacuated. It also warned people to stay away from the area. Brussels airport has confirmed there have been two explosions and that the airport has been evacuated. It also warned people to stay away from the area.
There have been 2 explosions at the airport. Building is being evacuated. Don't come to the airport area.There have been 2 explosions at the airport. Building is being evacuated. Don't come to the airport area.
Updated
at 8.44am GMT
7.39am GMT7.39am GMT
07:3907:39
Opening summaryOpening summary
Welcome to our live coverage of the aftermath of two explosions at Brussels airport.Welcome to our live coverage of the aftermath of two explosions at Brussels airport.
At this stage details are sketchy and the cause of the explosions is not clear.At this stage details are sketchy and the cause of the explosions is not clear.
Belgium media said several people were injured. Belgian media said several people were injured.
Video from the scene showed people running from the airport as smoke rose from the building.Video from the scene showed people running from the airport as smoke rose from the building.
video: People running for life after multiple blasts at Brussels airport via @AAhronheim pic.twitter.com/DQEQJyojyevideo: People running for life after multiple blasts at Brussels airport via @AAhronheim pic.twitter.com/DQEQJyojye
Rail traffic to the airport has been suspended and planes are being prevented from landing.Rail traffic to the airport has been suspended and planes are being prevented from landing.
MAP: No airplanes being allowed to land at #Brussels airport after two explosions rock main terminal - @planefinder pic.twitter.com/auILzX2Q4zMAP: No airplanes being allowed to land at #Brussels airport after two explosions rock main terminal - @planefinder pic.twitter.com/auILzX2Q4z
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.52am GMT at 8.45am GMT