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Brussels explosions: Isis claims airport and metro attacks – live updates | |
(35 minutes later) | |
3.44pm GMT | |
15:44 | |
Bernie Sanders, currently fighting for the Democratic nomination to contest the presidential election said “the international community must come together to fight Isis”. | |
Full Sanders statement on attacks in Belgium: pic.twitter.com/61Pn71tCAd | |
3.35pm GMT | |
15:35 | |
This video shows the aftermath of the bombing at Zaventem airport: | |
Updated | |
at 3.38pm GMT | |
3.30pm GMT | |
15:30 | |
Belgian police release photo of man they wish to question | |
Oliver Milne writes: | |
Belgian police are appealing for help in identifying a potential suspect, who could have information about the attack on Zaventem airport this morning. | |
The unknown man, seen below dressed in white, is thought to be linked to this morning’s bombing which left at least 14 people dead. | |
The identity of the two other men is unknown. | |
The photograph was circulating on social media earlier this afternoon before Belgium’s federal prosecutor confirmed that the man in white was the subject of police inquiries. | |
Dit zijn verdachten van aanslag in Zaventem. https://t.co/sXNekXpLDQ pic.twitter.com/RX8lUQADOr | |
Updated | |
at 3.38pm GMT | |
3.28pm GMT | |
15:28 | |
Islamic State claims responsibility | |
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the two bomb attacks in Brussels, a news agency affiliated with the group said. | |
AMAQ agency said: | |
Islamic State fighters carried out a series of bombings with explosive belts and devices on Tuesday, targeting an airport and a central metro station in the centre of the Belgian capital Brussels. | |
3.26pm GMT | |
15:26 | |
Three Mormon missionaries based in Paris have been seriously injured in the Brussels attacks. Their families have been informed. | |
#BREAKING @LDSchurch 3 missionaries in the #Paris, France Mission were seriously injured in the #Brusselsattack pic.twitter.com/IlkaZ8N1y5 | |
Photos from #LDS Church on the #Brusselsattack Elder Richard Norby. Elder Joseph Empey Elder Mason Wells. pic.twitter.com/Dr11GmYHEM | |
3.16pm GMT | |
15:16 | |
The UN official in charge of aiding Middle East refugees criticised people directing anger over the attacks at those fleeing Syria’s bloody civil war or violence elsewhere in the region. | |
Amin Awad, the Middle East and North Africa bureau and regional refugee coordinator for Syria, said: | |
To lump everybody together and say refugees are posing a security risk, that is not true. Any sort of hostilities [toward refugees] because of the Brussels attack or Paris attack is misplaced. | |
Updated | |
at 3.36pm GMT | |
3.08pm GMT | 3.08pm GMT |
15:08 | 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 on accounts linked to the group. | |
1) Pro-#ISIS accts/channels campaigning for #Brusselsattack: passing hashtags, images, justifications, & threats pic.twitter.com/uMAsrJ2B4E | 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] | 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) These reactions suggest that #ISIS likely to claim responsibility for #Brusselsattack |
Updated | |
at 3.18pm GMT | |
3.01pm GMT | 3.01pm GMT |
15:01 | 15:01 |
US official: 'suitcase bomb at airport' | 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 on 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. | 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. |
Updated | |
at 3.17pm GMT | |
2.52pm GMT | 2.52pm GMT |
14:52 | 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. | |
Updated | |
at 3.17pm GMT | |
2.49pm GMT | 2.49pm GMT |
14:49 | 14:49 |
Rachel Obordo | 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.” | “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. | 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.” | 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.” |
Updated | |
at 3.16pm GMT | |
2.41pm GMT | 2.41pm GMT |
14:41 | 14:41 |
Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has chaired a meeting of 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 | 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 | Just spoken to the Belgian Ambassador to convey Scotland's sympathy, support and solidarity for the people of Belgium. #Brussels |
Updated | |
at 3.35pm GMT | |
2.37pm GMT | 2.37pm GMT |
14:37 | 14:37 |
Europe’s foreign affairs chief, Federica Mogherini, broke down in tears during a speech in Brussels. | 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”. | 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. | |
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 a 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. | |
Today, Brussels shows its true nature: an exemplar solidarity through massive blood donations, the gratuity of taxis and the numerous citizens 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. |
Updated | |
at 3.14pm GMT | |
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 |