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Brussels: Islamic State launches attacks on airport and station – as it happened | Brussels: Islamic State launches attacks on airport and station – as it happened |
(5 months later) | |
5.15am GMT | 5.15am GMT |
05:15 | 05:15 |
This live blog is now closing: follow our unfolding Brussels coverage on our new live blog: | This live blog is now closing: follow our unfolding Brussels coverage on our new live blog: |
4.53am GMT | 4.53am GMT |
04:53 | 04:53 |
Closing summary: what we know so far | Closing summary: what we know so far |
Claire Phipps | Claire Phipps |
Updated | Updated |
at 5.15am GMT | at 5.15am GMT |
4.30am GMT | 4.30am GMT |
04:30 | 04:30 |
Australian PM: Europe's security 'allowed to slip' | Australian PM: Europe's security 'allowed to slip' |
Michael Safi | Michael Safi |
The Australian prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has criticised European security arrangements, arguing they were allowed to “slip” before Tuesday’s attacks in Belgium. | The Australian prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has criticised European security arrangements, arguing they were allowed to “slip” before Tuesday’s attacks in Belgium. |
Turnbull had been asked whether an terrorist act similar to that in Brussels could occur in Australia. | Turnbull had been asked whether an terrorist act similar to that in Brussels could occur in Australia. |
He told the ABC: | He told the ABC: |
You cannot guarantee that there will be no terrorist incident. | You cannot guarantee that there will be no terrorist incident. |
But I can assure Australians that our security system, our border protection, our domestic security arrangements are much stronger than they are in Europe, where regrettably they allowed security to slip. | But I can assure Australians that our security system, our border protection, our domestic security arrangements are much stronger than they are in Europe, where regrettably they allowed security to slip. |
Turnbull said vulnerabilities in European security were “not unrelated to the problems they’ve been having in recent times”. | Turnbull said vulnerabilities in European security were “not unrelated to the problems they’ve been having in recent times”. |
The federal opposition leader, Labor’s Bill Shorten, said it was too soon after the attacks for “the prime minister [to] be telling the Belgians what they did wrong”: | The federal opposition leader, Labor’s Bill Shorten, said it was too soon after the attacks for “the prime minister [to] be telling the Belgians what they did wrong”: |
For me, today, is about recognising that people have lost their lives – innocent people have lost their lives. | For me, today, is about recognising that people have lost their lives – innocent people have lost their lives. |
No doubt the hard questions will be asked in coming days. | No doubt the hard questions will be asked in coming days. |
Australia’s official threat level currently indicates a terrorist attack is “probable”. | Australia’s official threat level currently indicates a terrorist attack is “probable”. |
Updated | Updated |
at 4.30am GMT | at 4.30am GMT |
4.12am GMT | 4.12am GMT |
04:12 | 04:12 |
Injured air crew member named as Nidhi Chaphekar | Injured air crew member named as Nidhi Chaphekar |
The Jet Airways crew member pictured on many of those front pages has been named in multiple media reports as Nidhi Chaphekar. | The Jet Airways crew member pictured on many of those front pages has been named in multiple media reports as Nidhi Chaphekar. |
Australia’s Nine News said a spokesperson for Jet Airways had confirmed that Chaphekar – pictured in the immediate aftermath of the explosion in her torn and bloodied yellow uniform – was receiving treatment in hospital: | Australia’s Nine News said a spokesperson for Jet Airways had confirmed that Chaphekar – pictured in the immediate aftermath of the explosion in her torn and bloodied yellow uniform – was receiving treatment in hospital: |
She was waiting to board a flight from Brussels to Newark at 10.15am local time. She is a cabin crew member. | She was waiting to board a flight from Brussels to Newark at 10.15am local time. She is a cabin crew member. |
We don’t have full information on the extent of her injuries. We know her location: she is in hospital and receiving medical care. | We don’t have full information on the extent of her injuries. We know her location: she is in hospital and receiving medical care. |
Chaphekar’s colleague Amit Motwani was also wounded in the attack but the injuries are not thought to be serious. | Chaphekar’s colleague Amit Motwani was also wounded in the attack but the injuries are not thought to be serious. |
4.05am GMT | 4.05am GMT |
04:05 | 04:05 |
Newspaper front pages around the world are, unsurprisingly, dominated by the attacks on Brussels. You can see several of them here: | Newspaper front pages around the world are, unsurprisingly, dominated by the attacks on Brussels. You can see several of them here: |
3.50am GMT | 3.50am GMT |
03:50 | 03:50 |
Dozens of Belgian expatriates have gathered in Union Square in Manhattan, bringing flowers, candles and flags to express solidarity with the victims and survivors of the attacks. | Dozens of Belgian expatriates have gathered in Union Square in Manhattan, bringing flowers, candles and flags to express solidarity with the victims and survivors of the attacks. |
“It’s important to be here,” Renaud Vanlangendonck, a former teacher carrying his five-month-old daughter, told AFP. “We saw it in New York, Paris, Istanbul … and now it’s our country, it’s horrible.” | “It’s important to be here,” Renaud Vanlangendonck, a former teacher carrying his five-month-old daughter, told AFP. “We saw it in New York, Paris, Istanbul … and now it’s our country, it’s horrible.” |
There was a visible police presence in Union Square as law enforcement bolstered security across America’s largest city. | There was a visible police presence in Union Square as law enforcement bolstered security across America’s largest city. |
The FBI and New York police were dispatching detectives as early as Tuesday night to investigate the Brussels attacks. | The FBI and New York police were dispatching detectives as early as Tuesday night to investigate the Brussels attacks. |
A number of US citizens, including three Mormon missionaries, are among the wounded. | A number of US citizens, including three Mormon missionaries, are among the wounded. |
Tonight @OneWTC is lit in black, yellow and red as NY stands in solemn solidarity with the people of Belgium. pic.twitter.com/XupRXw4fb2 | Tonight @OneWTC is lit in black, yellow and red as NY stands in solemn solidarity with the people of Belgium. pic.twitter.com/XupRXw4fb2 |
3.27am GMT | 3.27am GMT |
03:27 | 03:27 |
We have more information from Peru’s foreign ministry about Adelma Tapia Ruiz, the first victim of the attacks to be named. | We have more information from Peru’s foreign ministry about Adelma Tapia Ruiz, the first victim of the attacks to be named. |
Tapia Ruiz, 37, was killed in the bombings at the Brussels airport. | Tapia Ruiz, 37, was killed in the bombings at the Brussels airport. |
Fernando Tapia, her brother, told Peruvian radio station RPP that his sister was at the airport with her Belgian husband, Christophe Delcambe, and their twin four-year-old daughters Maureen and Alondra, who also have Belgian nationality. | Fernando Tapia, her brother, told Peruvian radio station RPP that his sister was at the airport with her Belgian husband, Christophe Delcambe, and their twin four-year-old daughters Maureen and Alondra, who also have Belgian nationality. |
Earlier reports suggested one of the daughters was injured in the attack. | Earlier reports suggested one of the daughters was injured in the attack. |
Tapia said his sister was catching a flight to New York, where she planned to meet their sisters. | Tapia said his sister was catching a flight to New York, where she planned to meet their sisters. |
3.16am GMT | 3.16am GMT |
03:16 | 03:16 |
The image of an injured woman in torn yellow clothes has featured prominently in coverage of the airport attacks, including the Guardian’s Wednesday front page, see below. | The image of an injured woman in torn yellow clothes has featured prominently in coverage of the airport attacks, including the Guardian’s Wednesday front page, see below. |
She has been identified as a crew member of India-based Jet Airways, Press Association reports. She has not been named. | She has been identified as a crew member of India-based Jet Airways, Press Association reports. She has not been named. |
The photograph, which shows her face covered in blood and dust and her yellow steward’s uniform shredded, emerged in the immediate aftermath of the attacks. | The photograph, which shows her face covered in blood and dust and her yellow steward’s uniform shredded, emerged in the immediate aftermath of the attacks. |
The airline confirmed that the victim was one of its staff in a tweet thanking well-wishers for their support. | The airline confirmed that the victim was one of its staff in a tweet thanking well-wishers for their support. |
Gul, we appreciate your concern and support on this. https://t.co/bk1Cnq98P3 | Gul, we appreciate your concern and support on this. https://t.co/bk1Cnq98P3 |
The Jet Airways official account quoted a tweet from Indian actress Gul Panag – whose husband Rishi Attari is a pilot for the airline – who said: “It’s sad how insensitive media & SM is being, in broadcasting jetairways’ s injured crew member’s photo. Respect her privacy please!!!” | The Jet Airways official account quoted a tweet from Indian actress Gul Panag – whose husband Rishi Attari is a pilot for the airline – who said: “It’s sad how insensitive media & SM is being, in broadcasting jetairways’ s injured crew member’s photo. Respect her privacy please!!!” |
The airline confirmed that two of its staff were injured in the explosions and were receiving hospital treatment. | The airline confirmed that two of its staff were injured in the explosions and were receiving hospital treatment. |
The photograph, which was posted on Twitter, featured on multiple newspaper front pages on Wednesday. Journalist Ketevan Kardava, a special correspondent for the Georgian Public Broadcaster based in Brussels, took the photo after being caught up in the attacks. | The photograph, which was posted on Twitter, featured on multiple newspaper front pages on Wednesday. Journalist Ketevan Kardava, a special correspondent for the Georgian Public Broadcaster based in Brussels, took the photo after being caught up in the attacks. |
Guardian front page, Wednesday 23 March 2016: At least 31 killed after terror attacks rip through Brussels pic.twitter.com/9wQXY8EnAo | Guardian front page, Wednesday 23 March 2016: At least 31 killed after terror attacks rip through Brussels pic.twitter.com/9wQXY8EnAo |
Updated | Updated |
at 3.17am GMT | at 3.17am GMT |
2.54am GMT | 2.54am GMT |
02:54 | 02:54 |
First victim named as Adelma Marina Tapia Ruiz | First victim named as Adelma Marina Tapia Ruiz |
Adelma Marina Tapia Ruiz, who was from Peru and had lived in Brussels for six years, died during the attacks, the first victim to have been named so far, AFP reports. | Adelma Marina Tapia Ruiz, who was from Peru and had lived in Brussels for six years, died during the attacks, the first victim to have been named so far, AFP reports. |
The Peruvian foreign ministry has confirmed her identity. | The Peruvian foreign ministry has confirmed her identity. |
“They took away everything she wanted to do with her life,” her brother, Fernando Tapia, told local media. | “They took away everything she wanted to do with her life,” her brother, Fernando Tapia, told local media. |
One of her daughters was wounded by flying debris. | One of her daughters was wounded by flying debris. |
Two Colombians and an Ecuadoran national also were among the wounded, their governments said. | Two Colombians and an Ecuadoran national also were among the wounded, their governments said. |
[Note: this post has been edited to clarify that Fernando Tapia is the victim’s brother.] | [Note: this post has been edited to clarify that Fernando Tapia is the victim’s brother.] |
Updated | Updated |
at 3.22am GMT | at 3.22am GMT |
2.20am GMT | 2.20am GMT |
02:20 | 02:20 |
Brazilian-Belgian man Sebastian Bellin suffered severe leg injuries while standing in line at a check-in counter at Zaventem airport. | Brazilian-Belgian man Sebastian Bellin suffered severe leg injuries while standing in line at a check-in counter at Zaventem airport. |
The college basketball player, who reportedly played for the Belgian national team and for Oakland University in Michigan, was hit by shrapnel in the leg and hip and was left bleeding on the floor of the airport for an hour, according to his father. | The college basketball player, who reportedly played for the Belgian national team and for Oakland University in Michigan, was hit by shrapnel in the leg and hip and was left bleeding on the floor of the airport for an hour, according to his father. |
Jean Bellin told CNN: | Jean Bellin told CNN: |
My son is doing well, considering. He went through his first operation today. Because he was left for about an hour on the floor in the airport in Brussels he lost a lot of blood. So they stabilised him and now he is going to go through another operation. | My son is doing well, considering. He went through his first operation today. Because he was left for about an hour on the floor in the airport in Brussels he lost a lot of blood. So they stabilised him and now he is going to go through another operation. |
I spoke with him twice. He is obviously stunned. The first words out of his mouth were: ‘You wouldn’t believe the carnage I saw around.’ | I spoke with him twice. He is obviously stunned. The first words out of his mouth were: ‘You wouldn’t believe the carnage I saw around.’ |
He was very clear and articulate even though he was obviously in a lot of pain. The second time I spoke to him he was obviously sedated and feeling a lot more tired. | He was very clear and articulate even though he was obviously in a lot of pain. The second time I spoke to him he was obviously sedated and feeling a lot more tired. |
All I know is that force of the blast where he was was sufficient to throw him 6ft [1.8m] up in to the air and he landed back and he got shrapnel in his left leg and his right hip. | All I know is that force of the blast where he was was sufficient to throw him 6ft [1.8m] up in to the air and he landed back and he got shrapnel in his left leg and his right hip. |
Very quickly there were photos of him circulating in the Belgium press and, because we have a huge network of friends in Belgium, they reached out and sent a picture of him on the floor and asked: is that really Seb? | Very quickly there were photos of him circulating in the Belgium press and, because we have a huge network of friends in Belgium, they reached out and sent a picture of him on the floor and asked: is that really Seb? |
And that was four in the morning. California time. That is how we found out. | And that was four in the morning. California time. That is how we found out. |
Updated | Updated |
at 2.43am GMT | at 2.43am GMT |
1.58am GMT | 1.58am GMT |
01:58 | 01:58 |
What we know so far | What we know so far |
Claire Phipps | Claire Phipps |
Updated | Updated |
at 2.14am GMT | at 2.14am GMT |
1.31am GMT | 1.31am GMT |
01:31 | 01:31 |
Across Europe on Tuesday evening, the colours of the Belgian flag – black, yellow and red – have been projected on to national landmarks in a show of solidarity. | Across Europe on Tuesday evening, the colours of the Belgian flag – black, yellow and red – have been projected on to national landmarks in a show of solidarity. |
The image below shows a selection of these (from top left): the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, the Eiffel tower in Paris, the town council building in Belgrade, the Trevi fountain in Rome, the Royal Palace at Dam Square in Amsterdam and Rome’s Campidoglio. | The image below shows a selection of these (from top left): the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, the Eiffel tower in Paris, the town council building in Belgrade, the Trevi fountain in Rome, the Royal Palace at Dam Square in Amsterdam and Rome’s Campidoglio. |
1.15am GMT | 1.15am GMT |
01:15 | 01:15 |
Islamic State has issued an updated communiqué taking credit for the Brussels attacks and threatening other countries in the anti-Isis coalition, Associated Press reports. | Islamic State has issued an updated communiqué taking credit for the Brussels attacks and threatening other countries in the anti-Isis coalition, Associated Press reports. |
The statement promises “dark days” for countries allied against Isis, threatening that “what is coming is worse and more bitter”. | The statement promises “dark days” for countries allied against Isis, threatening that “what is coming is worse and more bitter”. |
The communiqué was published in Arabic and French, and an English translation was provide by the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadi websites. | The communiqué was published in Arabic and French, and an English translation was provide by the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadi websites. |
1.05am GMT | 1.05am GMT |
01:05 | 01:05 |
Angelique Chrisafis | Angelique Chrisafis |
Although no link between the attacks on Paris in November and Tuesday’s assault on Brussels has been officially confirmed, investigators will of course be looking for potential links in the planning and execution of the two. | Although no link between the attacks on Paris in November and Tuesday’s assault on Brussels has been officially confirmed, investigators will of course be looking for potential links in the planning and execution of the two. |
Angelique Chrisafis reports on four suspects still being sought in connection with the Paris terror attacks: | Angelique Chrisafis reports on four suspects still being sought in connection with the Paris terror attacks: |
Several key suspects in the Paris attacks are still on the run despite an international manhunt. | Several key suspects in the Paris attacks are still on the run despite an international manhunt. |
Najim Laachraoui, 24, whose nationality has not been given, was identified this week as a key suspect previously known by his alias, Soufiane Kayal. He is reported to have travelled to Syria in 2013 and was travelling with Salah Abdeslam under his alias in September 2015 when their Mercedes was stopped at the Hungarian border with Austria. | Najim Laachraoui, 24, whose nationality has not been given, was identified this week as a key suspect previously known by his alias, Soufiane Kayal. He is reported to have travelled to Syria in 2013 and was travelling with Salah Abdeslam under his alias in September 2015 when their Mercedes was stopped at the Hungarian border with Austria. |
Laachraoui’s DNA had been found at an apartment used by the attackers in Auvelais, near the central Belgian city of Namur, which he had rented under a false name. Traces were also found at another suspected hideout in Schaerbeek, a district of Brussels. | Laachraoui’s DNA had been found at an apartment used by the attackers in Auvelais, near the central Belgian city of Namur, which he had rented under a false name. Traces were also found at another suspected hideout in Schaerbeek, a district of Brussels. |
Also still being hunted by police is Mohamed Abrini, 31, a Belgian of Moroccan origin, who was described on his international arrest warrant four months ago as “dangerous and probably armed”. He is a childhood friend of Abdeslam — their families used to be next-door neighbours in Molenbeek. He disappeared after allegedly playing a key part in the planning and logistics of the attacks. | Also still being hunted by police is Mohamed Abrini, 31, a Belgian of Moroccan origin, who was described on his international arrest warrant four months ago as “dangerous and probably armed”. He is a childhood friend of Abdeslam — their families used to be next-door neighbours in Molenbeek. He disappeared after allegedly playing a key part in the planning and logistics of the attacks. |
Two other brothers, Khalid and Ibrahim el-Bakraoui, are also being hunted, suspected of hiring properties as hideouts for the Paris terrorist team. | Two other brothers, Khalid and Ibrahim el-Bakraoui, are also being hunted, suspected of hiring properties as hideouts for the Paris terrorist team. |
12.51am GMT | 12.51am GMT |
00:51 | 00:51 |
Police in Belgium have also released more images of the two men they say blew themselves up at Zaventem airport – who are, as yet, unidentified: | Police in Belgium have also released more images of the two men they say blew themselves up at Zaventem airport – who are, as yet, unidentified: |
12.38am GMT | 12.38am GMT |
00:38 | 00:38 |
New photos of escaped suspect | New photos of escaped suspect |
Belgian police have issued these further images of the man they believe fled the airport after his bomb failed to detonate, asking: “Do you recognise this man?” | Belgian police have issued these further images of the man they believe fled the airport after his bomb failed to detonate, asking: “Do you recognise this man?” |
12.23am GMT | 12.23am GMT |
00:23 | 00:23 |
New warning for Americans in Europe | New warning for Americans in Europe |
The US state department has issued a fresh warning to Americans in Europe following the bombings in Brussels. It said: | The US state department has issued a fresh warning to Americans in Europe following the bombings in Brussels. It said: |
Terrorist groups continue to plan near-term attacks throughout Europe, targeting sporting events, tourist sites, restaurants and transportation. | Terrorist groups continue to plan near-term attacks throughout Europe, targeting sporting events, tourist sites, restaurants and transportation. |
In wide-ranging advice, it urged US citizens to be vigilant when in public places or using mass transportation, to avoid crowded places and to use extra caution during religious holidays and at large festivals and events. | In wide-ranging advice, it urged US citizens to be vigilant when in public places or using mass transportation, to avoid crowded places and to use extra caution during religious holidays and at large festivals and events. |
Its advice for US citizens currently in Brussels itself is here. | Its advice for US citizens currently in Brussels itself is here. |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.26am GMT | at 12.26am GMT |