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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) | |
3.08pm GMT | |
15:08 | |
Rita Katz, director of the Site intelligence group, predicts that Islamic State militants will claim responsibility for the attack based on messages of support expressed accounts linked to the group. | |
1) Pro-#ISIS accts/channels campaigning for #Brusselsattack: passing hashtags, images, justifications, & threats pic.twitter.com/uMAsrJ2B4E | |
2) Pro-#ISIS act: "Today the State of the Caliphate [#ISIS]...is taking revenge #Brussels #Belgium." [NO official claim though] | |
3) These reactions suggest that #ISIS likely to claim responsibility for #Brusselsattack | |
3.01pm GMT | |
15:01 | |
US official: 'suitcase bomb at airport' | |
A US official says security officials believe at least one suitcase bomb was detonated at Brussels Airport, AP reports. | |
The unnamed official confirmed a statement by a Brussels official that there is also concrete evidence of one suicide bombing at the airport Tuesday as well. | |
The official said the explosives seen in Brussels appeared sophisticated. Investigators will examine them to see if they bear the same characteristics as those used in Paris last year. | |
2.52pm GMT | |
14:52 | |
Belgium’s Interior Minister Jan Jambon has announced three days of national mourning, writes Oliver Milne. | |
Jambon is expected to join Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel at Zaventem airport in the next few hours, where they will tour the scene of this morning’s atrocities. | |
2.49pm GMT | |
14:49 | |
Rachel Obordo | |
People in the surrounding area near Maelbeek metro station are still on lockdown, writes Rachel Obordo. Georgia Knapp who works in the European Commission building arrived at Schuman, the next metro stop, just before the explosion. | |
“I feel very lucky but everyone is scared,” she said on WhatsApp. “We were a lot more terrified this morning and we could see smoke coming from the roof of Maalbeek station, people are just kind of in shock here. It’s very surreal. We are waiting for more information from our internal security about when we can leave. We don’t actually have a lot of information.” | |
Brendon Pinch is also in the European Quarter. He walked to work this morning around the time the blasts were heard and is at work where they’ve been told to stay inside. | |
He said: “There were many people on the streets on their phones and looking dazed. There are constant sirens at the moment. It reminds me very much of when I worked in the City during 7/7. The confusion and upset is palpable. I’m strangely emotional, yet also quite detached. Terrorism does have quite the effect.” | |
2.41pm GMT | |
14:41 | |
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has chaired a meeting of the Scotland’s resilience committee in the wake of the attacks. | |
First Minister @NicolaSturgeon chaired a @scotgov resilience meeting following todays terror attacks in #Brussels https://t.co/399qPJmiFF | |
Just spoken to the Belgian Ambassador to convey Scotland's sympathy, support and solidarity for the people of Belgium. #Brussels | |
2.37pm GMT | |
14:37 | |
Europe’s foreign affairs chief, Federica Mogherini, broke down in tears during a speech in Brussels. | |
She said it was a “a very sad day for Europe”. | |
2.33pm GMT | 2.33pm GMT |
14:33 | 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: | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | I call on the Brussels population to remain calm and to avoid all unnecessary movements. |
2.31pm GMT | 2.31pm GMT |
14:31 | 14:31 |
Here’s more from Obama. | 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 | "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 | 2.23pm GMT |
14:23 | 14:23 |
Obama offers support against 'scourge of terrorism' | 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. | 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: | 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. | 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 | 2.19pm GMT |
14:19 | 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: | 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. | 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. | 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 | Updated |
at 2.23pm GMT | at 2.23pm GMT |
2.17pm GMT | 2.17pm GMT |
14:17 | 14:17 |
The headquarters of the European commission will be evacuated by Belgian police at 4pm local time, according to VTM news. | 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. | 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 | 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. | 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 | #Brussels Currently "locked in" EuropeanParliament building. Pain&sadness mixed with apprehension.Streets in much of town empty.No transport |
Updated | Updated |
at 2.22pm GMT | at 2.22pm GMT |