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Brussels attacks: Isis flag and nail bomb found in raid – live Brussels attacks: Isis flag and nail bomb found in raid – live
(35 minutes later)
8.19pm GMT
20:19
The Belgian Crisis Center has said that schools will be open tomorrow in Brussels.
At this moment everything looks forward that the schools will be open tomorrow #Brussels
The center also put out an FAQ in English here (.pdf). Included an explanation of what threat level 4 means and information on travel on security.
8.08pm GMT
20:08
Belgium’s interior minister, Jan Jambon, has told RTL TV that authorities knew that some kind of extremist act was being prepared in Europe but that they were surprised by the scale of the attacks in Brussels.
Jambon said on Tuesday that “it was always possible that more attacks could happen but we never could have imagined something of this scale”. Jambon said that “we had no information about this, but we know that things were moving in Europe, in different countries, in France, in Germany, here”.
He said the Belgian authorities have no information about the planning of “any kind of action in Brussels at this time”.
Updated
at 8.20pm GMT
8.01pm GMT
20:01
Update: 31 dead and 250 wounded
The Belgian health minister, Maggie De Block, has just spoken to Belgian broadcaster VTM and said there were 250 injured and 31 dead. Eleven were killed at Brussels airport and 20 at Maelbeek metro station.
There have been several conflicting reports on the numbers of dead and injured from both attacks. We will use De Block’s numbers until the next official update.
The Belgian authorities have opened an emergency phone line: +32 2 506 711.
Updated
at 8.13pm GMT
7.42pm GMT7.42pm GMT
19:4219:42
The Brussels government has invited the Belgian population to observe a minute of silence, tomorrow (Wednesday) at 12pm.The Brussels government has invited the Belgian population to observe a minute of silence, tomorrow (Wednesday) at 12pm.
7.37pm GMT7.37pm GMT
19:3719:37
French PM Manuel Valls will visit #Brussels on Wed as planned, will also see Belgian PM to show solidarity, as well as planned meeting at ECFrench PM Manuel Valls will visit #Brussels on Wed as planned, will also see Belgian PM to show solidarity, as well as planned meeting at EC
7.30pm GMT7.30pm GMT
19:3019:30
The military hospital in Neder-over-Heembeek in northern Brussels has been treating victims of Tuesday’s attacks. Here is an x-ray of a person’s chest, which shows a big nail or screw.The military hospital in Neder-over-Heembeek in northern Brussels has been treating victims of Tuesday’s attacks. Here is an x-ray of a person’s chest, which shows a big nail or screw.
The Belgian federal prosecutor’s office this afternoon said that a bomb with nails in was discovered during the raids on Schaerbeek.The Belgian federal prosecutor’s office this afternoon said that a bomb with nails in was discovered during the raids on Schaerbeek.
Updated
at 8.15pm GMT
7.13pm GMT7.13pm GMT
19:1319:13
Belgian news organisation RTBF has spoken with Christian Delhasse, who was driving the train that came under attack in Maelbeek:Belgian news organisation RTBF has spoken with Christian Delhasse, who was driving the train that came under attack in Maelbeek:
It was 9.15am when the bomb went off. We are on lines 1-5, and the train starts up again towards Arts-Loi when the bomb went off. The conductor immediately stopped his train and its three carriages, thinking at first that it was a technical problem. He quickly realised however that it was much worse. Christian wasn’t injured and immediately went to check on his passengers:It was 9.15am when the bomb went off. We are on lines 1-5, and the train starts up again towards Arts-Loi when the bomb went off. The conductor immediately stopped his train and its three carriages, thinking at first that it was a technical problem. He quickly realised however that it was much worse. Christian wasn’t injured and immediately went to check on his passengers:
“I did what I had to do,” Delhasse told RTBF. “Nothing happened to me, not a single wound. I immediately followed the protocols, that’s all I can say.”“I did what I had to do,” Delhasse told RTBF. “Nothing happened to me, not a single wound. I immediately followed the protocols, that’s all I can say.”
Delhasse, a Brussels resident, is in intense psychological shock. “Seeing bodies on the floor, it marks you.”Delhasse, a Brussels resident, is in intense psychological shock. “Seeing bodies on the floor, it marks you.”
Read the full report here (in French). via RTBF reporter Karim FadoulRead the full report here (in French). via RTBF reporter Karim Fadoul
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.40pm GMTat 7.40pm GMT
6.50pm GMT6.50pm GMT
18:5018:50
European monuments are being lit up in solidarity with the victims of Tuesday’s attacks in Brussels.European monuments are being lit up in solidarity with the victims of Tuesday’s attacks in Brussels.
In Paris:In Paris:
In Berlin:In Berlin:
In Lyon:In Lyon:
Makeshift memorials have also popped up in Brussels, in tribute to the victims:Makeshift memorials have also popped up in Brussels, in tribute to the victims:
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.53pm GMT at 8.11pm GMT
6.39pm GMT6.39pm GMT
18:3918:39
Sam LevinSam Levin
The governor of Utah, Gary Herbert, has confirmed that three Utahns serving as missionaries for the Mormon church were injured in the attacks in the Brussels airport: The governor of Utah, Gary Herbert, has confirmed that three Utahns serving as missionaries for the Mormon church were injured in the attacks at the Brussels airport:
“It is not uncommon for innocent victims to be targeted in these terrorist attacks, but seldom do we see people of faith who have forsaken everything—family, friends, school and careers—in order to share a message of hope and love with the world also fall victim,” Herbert said in a statement on Tuesday. “It is not uncommon for innocent victims to be targeted in these terrorist attacks, but seldom do we see people of faith who have forsaken everything – family, friends, school and careers – in order to share a message of hope and love with the world also fall victim,” Herbert said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Utahns injured are 66-year-old Richard Norby, 20-year-old Joseph Empey and 19-year-old Mason Wells, according to the Associated Press.The Utahns injured are 66-year-old Richard Norby, 20-year-old Joseph Empey and 19-year-old Mason Wells, according to the Associated Press.
“To the Norby, Empey and Wells family, please know that the state of Utah is united in prayer at this time for the health and well being of your missionaries. As Utahns, we stand together with our fellow Americans and those around the world in our resolve to put an end to these acts of terror,” Herbert said.The attacks came just before the Tuesday GOP caucus in Utah where immigration has become a particularly hot-button issue. Many Republican Mormon voters, even those with very conservative views on immigration and counter-terrorism efforts, oppose Donald Trump in part due to his outlandish proposals like banning all Muslims.“To the Norby, Empey and Wells family, please know that the state of Utah is united in prayer at this time for the health and well being of your missionaries. As Utahns, we stand together with our fellow Americans and those around the world in our resolve to put an end to these acts of terror,” Herbert said.The attacks came just before the Tuesday GOP caucus in Utah where immigration has become a particularly hot-button issue. Many Republican Mormon voters, even those with very conservative views on immigration and counter-terrorism efforts, oppose Donald Trump in part due to his outlandish proposals like banning all Muslims.
This content is cross-posted with our US politics live blog.This content is cross-posted with our US politics live blog.
Updated
at 8.10pm GMT
6.28pm GMT6.28pm GMT
18:2818:28
Prosecutor's office: 'Islamic State flag and explosive device found in Schaarbeek raid'Prosecutor's office: 'Islamic State flag and explosive device found in Schaarbeek raid'
Jennifer RankinJennifer Rankin
The Belgian prosecutor’s office has confirmed that raids were conducted in Schaarbeek, a northern suburb of Brussels, writes the Guardian’s Brussels correspondent, Jennifer Rankin:The Belgian prosecutor’s office has confirmed that raids were conducted in Schaarbeek, a northern suburb of Brussels, writes the Guardian’s Brussels correspondent, Jennifer Rankin:
“The searches ... have led to the discovery of an explosive device containing nails, among other things. The investigators have also discovered chemical products and an Islamic State flag.”“The searches ... have led to the discovery of an explosive device containing nails, among other things. The investigators have also discovered chemical products and an Islamic State flag.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.46pm GMTat 6.46pm GMT
6.14pm GMT6.14pm GMT
18:1418:14
Police have re-established a security cordon at Zaventem airport after discovering a suspicious package, Flemish broadcaster VTM is reporting.Police have re-established a security cordon at Zaventem airport after discovering a suspicious package, Flemish broadcaster VTM is reporting.
The cordon had been reduced earlier this afternoon after police completed their initial security sweep of the airport, but the discovery of this package will send the process back to square one, the station is reporting.The cordon had been reduced earlier this afternoon after police completed their initial security sweep of the airport, but the discovery of this package will send the process back to square one, the station is reporting.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.16pm GMTat 6.16pm GMT
6.10pm GMT6.10pm GMT
18:1018:10
King Philippe: 'Belgium is in deep mourning'King Philippe: 'Belgium is in deep mourning'
King Philippe of Belgium has just addressed the nation, in a brief statement:King Philippe of Belgium has just addressed the nation, in a brief statement:
He said Belgium was now in deep mourning, and said 22 March will never be the same again.He said Belgium was now in deep mourning, and said 22 March will never be the same again.
We are faced with a threat, but we will continue to work together calmly, surely and with dignity. We must continue to trust ourselves. This is our strength.”We are faced with a threat, but we will continue to work together calmly, surely and with dignity. We must continue to trust ourselves. This is our strength.”
The King also expressed his support and thanks for the emergency services: “We are so grateful for all those who have helped.”The King also expressed his support and thanks for the emergency services: “We are so grateful for all those who have helped.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.45pm GMTat 6.45pm GMT
5.50pm GMT5.50pm GMT
17:5017:50
Belgian prosecutor: 'Too early to make the link between Paris and today's attacks'Belgian prosecutor: 'Too early to make the link between Paris and today's attacks'
The Belgian federal prosecutor Frederic Van Leeuw has also spoken at the press conference and has given details of the attack:The Belgian federal prosecutor Frederic Van Leeuw has also spoken at the press conference and has given details of the attack:
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.43pm GMTat 6.43pm GMT
5.44pm GMT5.44pm GMT
17:4417:44
Belgian PM Charles Michel: 'We are determined to defend our freedom'Belgian PM Charles Michel: 'We are determined to defend our freedom'
Charles Michel is speaking at a press conference in Brussels, in both French and Flemish:Charles Michel is speaking at a press conference in Brussels, in both French and Flemish:
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.41pm GMT at 8.03pm GMT