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Next version
| Version 10 | Version 11 |
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| Brussels explosions: multiple casualties after airport and metro attacks – live | Brussels explosions: multiple casualties after airport and metro attacks – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.33pm GMT | |
| 14:33 | |
| Rudi Vervoort, minister-president of the Brussels-Capital region has said he feels “a horror that cannot be named” but praised the response of the Belgian people: | |
| I would like to express my support to the victims of the attacks of this morning, at the Brussels Airport in Zaventem and in the metro station Maelbeek. My thoughts are also directed to their families and closest. | |
| This attack, without any precedent in Belgium, targeted strong symbols of its capital: its airport and its public transportation network. As a Brussels citizen, I feel an horror that cannot be named. | |
| My greatest recognition goes to all members of the security and emergency force that are heavily mobilised to assist the victims. | |
| I want to address our determination. We will let no one cowardly attack the values of Democracy. Barbarism will be fought continuously. Brussels will overcome obscurantism. | |
| Today, Brussels shows its true nature: an exemplar solidarity through massive blood donations, the gratuity of taxis and the numerous citizen that are opening their homes to host strangers in need on social networks. | |
| He said that public transportation had been shut down but the authorities would do everything in their power to reopen the surface network today. He urged parents not to turn up at schools before the end of the day, saying children would be kept inside safely. | |
| I call on the Brussels population to remain calm and to avoid all unnecessary movements. | |
| 2.31pm GMT | |
| 14:31 | |
| Here’s more from Obama. | |
| "The thoughts and prayers of the American people are with the people of Belgium" —@POTUS on the attacks in #Brussels https://t.co/TWxnIDfDqL | |
| 2.23pm GMT | |
| 14:23 | |
| Obama offers support against 'scourge of terrorism' | |
| Barack Obama has offered Belgium his support against the “scourge of terrorism”. He also offered his condolences in a phone call to Belgium’s prime minister, Charles Michel. | |
| A read out of the call issued by the White House said: | |
| The President reaffirmed the steadfast support of the United States for Belgium, and offered any assistance necessary in investigating these attacks and bringing those responsible to justice. The President reiterated that the United States stands together with the people of Belgium, as well as Nato and the European Union, and once again pledged the full cooperation and support of the United States in our shared commitment to defeat the scourge of terrorism. | |
| 2.19pm GMT | |
| 14:19 | |
| Starbucks has said that one of the explosions appears to have occurred outside a coffee shop in Brussels airport, injuring an employee. It said in a statement: | |
| We are deeply saddened by the senseless acts that have taken place in Brussels today. | |
| Amidst reports of attacks targeting Brussels airport and at a metro station, initial indications are that an explosion took place outside of a store within the airport. While one partner (employee) was injured we can confirm that all our partners have been accounted for and are safe. This store and all other Starbucks stores in Brussels will remain closed until further notice. | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.23pm GMT | |
| 2.17pm GMT | |
| 14:17 | |
| The headquarters of the European commission will be evacuated by Belgian police at 4pm local time, according to VTM news. | |
| The Berlaymont building, where flags were lowered to half-mast earlier today, will be emptied so that police can perform a full security sweep of the building, it said. | |
| Berlaymontgebouw, waar de Europese Commissie gehuisvest is, wordt om 15.00 uur ontruimd. https://t.co/wCXumq4CB0 | |
| Labour MEP Richard Corbett is currently locked in at the nearby European parliament building. | |
| #Brussels Currently "locked in" EuropeanParliament building. Pain&sadness mixed with apprehension.Streets in much of town empty.No transport | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.22pm GMT | |
| 2.12pm GMT | |
| 14:12 | |
| Responding to the attacks, Pope Francis has condemned “blind violence which causes so much suffering”. | |
| In a telegram to the archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels, the pope “expresses his deepest sympathy to the injured and their families, and all those who contribute to relief efforts, asking the Lord to bring them comfort and consolation in this ordeal. The Holy Father again condemns the blind violence which causes so much suffering and, imploring from God the gift of peace, he entrusts on the bereaved families and the Belgians the benefit of divine blessings.” | |
| There has also been reaction from different faith groups in the UK. | |
| Dr Shuja Shafi, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: | |
| We are shocked to hear about the terror attacks in Brussels, coming as they did only a few days after the horrific atrocities in Istanbul. I hope the killers are brought to justice and face the full force of the law. | |
| Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, families and communities affected. | |
| As we come to terms with yet another attack on European soil, we must redouble our efforts to work together to defeat terrorism wherever it comes from. These mass murderers want to divide our society and pit people against each other. We must deny them this goal at every conceivable opportunity. | |
| The archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said: | |
| In the great holy week of Christian prayer and mercy, the Brussels attacks shock all those who seek peace and justice through the terrible cruelty and utter separation from all that is of God. Once again we see the contrast between the vain efforts to terrify through indiscriminate murder, and the call of God to be those who show mercy, who seek peace and pursue it. Let us at every service this week pray for those caught up in the traumatic events at the airport and in the city of Brussels. | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.21pm GMT | |
| 2.12pm GMT | |
| 14:12 | |
| A square outside the Bourse in Brussels has become transformed into a giant blackboard for people to chalk messages of defiance and solidarity. | |
| On Bourse square in #Brussels, people writing chalk messages of peace and resilience pic.twitter.com/fiMgBhDHaR | |
| Superbe hommage à la Bourse à #Bruxelles #brusselattack pic.twitter.com/ikWaf4sd5K | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.22pm GMT | |
| 2.08pm GMT | |
| 14:08 | |
| And in case you didn’t believe us earlier, here’s video of Trump’s comments. | |
| 2.05pm GMT | |
| 14:05 | |
| Here’s video of part of Cameron’s statement on the attacks. | |
| 2.02pm GMT | |
| 14:02 | |
| Hillary Clinton, the frontrunner to be the Democratic presidential candidate, said the attacks “strengthen our resolve to stand together to fight terrorism”. | |
| Hillary Clinton Statement on Terrorist Attacks in Brussels, Belgium pic.twitter.com/OIpMjp80Iq | |
| 1.53pm GMT | 1.53pm GMT |
| 13:53 | 13:53 |
| The French interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, said the attacks reinforced the need for “very high security” at this summer’s European football championship in France, AP reports. | The French interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, said the attacks reinforced the need for “very high security” at this summer’s European football championship in France, AP reports. |
| Cazeneuve said that everything will be put in place during the tournament from 10 June-10 July to guarantee “collective security”. | Cazeneuve said that everything will be put in place during the tournament from 10 June-10 July to guarantee “collective security”. |
| In the wake of the Paris attacks that left 130 people dead in November, tournament organisers had already strengthened security measures and made changes to fan zones. Cazeneuve said the state would contribute up to €2m for video surveillance in the designated areas for the public. | In the wake of the Paris attacks that left 130 people dead in November, tournament organisers had already strengthened security measures and made changes to fan zones. Cazeneuve said the state would contribute up to €2m for video surveillance in the designated areas for the public. |
| Cazeneuve said Euro 2016 should bring “sportsmanship, festivities and security for teams, accompanying staff and spectators”. | Cazeneuve said Euro 2016 should bring “sportsmanship, festivities and security for teams, accompanying staff and spectators”. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.59pm GMT | at 1.59pm GMT |
| 1.49pm GMT | 1.49pm GMT |
| 13:49 | 13:49 |
| Parents in Belgium have been told that there is no reason to panic and to pick up their children from school at the normal time, writes Oliver Milne. | Parents in Belgium have been told that there is no reason to panic and to pick up their children from school at the normal time, writes Oliver Milne. |
| Speaking to VTM News, the Flemish education minister, Hilde Crevits, said: “Parents’ concerns are understandable, but they should stay where they are. Your children are secure and safe in school.” | Speaking to VTM News, the Flemish education minister, Hilde Crevits, said: “Parents’ concerns are understandable, but they should stay where they are. Your children are secure and safe in school.” |
| Crevits also told viewers that all after-school clubs and school trips had been cancelled and that extra security measures had been put in place in all schools in Brussels and Flanders. | Crevits also told viewers that all after-school clubs and school trips had been cancelled and that extra security measures had been put in place in all schools in Brussels and Flanders. |
| Extra waakzaamheid in alle scholen in Vlaanderen en Brussel https://t.co/Iixg8hH01W | Extra waakzaamheid in alle scholen in Vlaanderen en Brussel https://t.co/Iixg8hH01W |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.57pm GMT | at 1.57pm GMT |
| 1.44pm GMT | 1.44pm GMT |
| 13:44 | 13:44 |
| As yet there has been no claim of responsibility, but social media accounts linked to Islamic State militants have praised the attacks, according to jihadi watcher Michael Horowitz, a security analyst at the Levantine Group. | As yet there has been no claim of responsibility, but social media accounts linked to Islamic State militants have praised the attacks, according to jihadi watcher Michael Horowitz, a security analyst at the Levantine Group. |
| Pro-#ISIS accounts hinting that the group was behind the #Brussels attack (this is NOT a claim) pic.twitter.com/3pa8ctMoTi | Pro-#ISIS accounts hinting that the group was behind the #Brussels attack (this is NOT a claim) pic.twitter.com/3pa8ctMoTi |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.49pm GMT | at 1.49pm GMT |
| 1.36pm GMT | 1.36pm GMT |
| 13:36 | 13:36 |
| The Belgian Taxi Drivers Union has urged its members to offer free rides to those stranded after the attacks, writes Oliver Milne. | The Belgian Taxi Drivers Union has urged its members to offer free rides to those stranded after the attacks, writes Oliver Milne. |
| The union tweeted: “Friends offer your services to your fellow citizens and help evacute people safely. Thank you.” | The union tweeted: “Friends offer your services to your fellow citizens and help evacute people safely. Thank you.” |
| Merci à tous pour votre solidarité et vos compteurs éteints encore besoin de #taxis Stationstraat à Zaventem village pic.twitter.com/pbCcAxvbRc | Merci à tous pour votre solidarité et vos compteurs éteints encore besoin de #taxis Stationstraat à Zaventem village pic.twitter.com/pbCcAxvbRc |
| 1.31pm GMT | 1.31pm GMT |
| 13:31 | 13:31 |
| More than a hundred people were injured and at least 20 people were killed at the Maelbeek metro station, writes Oliver Milne. | More than a hundred people were injured and at least 20 people were killed at the Maelbeek metro station, writes Oliver Milne. |
| Speaking at a press conference, the mayor of Brussels, Yvan Mayeur, said that at least 20 people died in the explosion at the metro station, but that it is “too early to say exactly what the number of victims will be”. | Speaking at a press conference, the mayor of Brussels, Yvan Mayeur, said that at least 20 people died in the explosion at the metro station, but that it is “too early to say exactly what the number of victims will be”. |
| He confirmed that 106 people had been injured in the metro station blast. | He confirmed that 106 people had been injured in the metro station blast. |
| Burgemeester Brussel: "Balans aanslagen zal erg zwaar zijn, maar het is te vroeg voor exacte cijfers." https://t.co/wCXumq4CB0 | Burgemeester Brussel: "Balans aanslagen zal erg zwaar zijn, maar het is te vroeg voor exacte cijfers." https://t.co/wCXumq4CB0 |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.36pm GMT | at 1.36pm GMT |