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Brussels explosions: multiple casualties after airport and metro blasts – live Brussels explosions: multiple casualties after airport and metro blasts – live
(35 minutes later)
10.59am GMT
10:59
The federal prosecutor, Fredere Van Leeuw, confirmed that the attack at Zaventem airport was carried out by a suicide bomber but gave no details about the second blast, writes Oliver Milne.
“It is too early to discuss any more details about the attackers,” Van Leeuw told journalists at the press conference.
Updated
at 11.00am GMT
10.56am GMT
10:56
15 killed in metro blast
The Metro operator La Stib has confirmed that 15 people were killed in the Maelbeek metro station blast.
#Alerte La Stib confirme 15 morts et 10 blessés graves lors de l'attaque dans le métro https://t.co/Q6YSUN8EIv pic.twitter.com/8bVAAs827S
10.52am GMT
10:52
Here’s video of passengers walking through a smoke-filled underground tunnel following an explosion at Maelbeek metro. At street level smoke can be seen rising from the underground.
10.50am GMT
10:50
Belgian PM: 'What we feared, has happened'
Belgium’s prime minister, Charles Michel, says terrorists have committed murder at the airport and the metro station.
“What we feared, has happened,” he said in a televised press conference.
He said it was too early to confirm casualty figures but said that there were “many dead, many injured”.
Michel confirmed that the attack at the airport was carried by a suicide bomber.
He also called for “calm and solidarity” after what he described as a “tragic moment”.
#Flash Double attentat à #Bruxelles: Charles Michel appelle au calme https://t.co/Q6YSUN8EIv pic.twitter.com/nag2stviuQ
Updated
at 10.55am GMT
10.44am GMT
10:44
Small blasts, thought to be controlled explosions, have been heard close the Maelbeek metro. Local media said it appeared to be the work of the police bomb squad, Reuters reports.
UPDATE: Reports of an explosion heard in Rue de la Loi appear to be a controlled explosion of suspicious package. https://t.co/nmaKraEzaB
10.39am GMT
10:39
Here’s video of a metro train being evacuated after the blast.
This was the scene a short while ago, between the Arts-Lois and Maelbeek metro stations in Brussels. pic.twitter.com/aTZjqsF7Gt
10.37am GMT
10:37
Brussels police have confirmed deaths at the Maelbeek metro station but they have not disclosed numbers, AP reports.
There are unconfirmed reports that 10 people were killed at the station.
Graphic images have emerged purporting to show at least one victim of the metro blast.
Updated
at 10.45am GMT
10.31am GMT
10:31
Here’s video of the aftermath of the blasts.
10.29am GMT10.29am GMT
10:2910:29
Extra police are to be deployed at key locations in the UK, Assistant Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley has announced. Extra police are to be deployed at key locations in the UK, the Metropolitan police’s assistant commissioner Mark Rowley has announced.
Rowley, who is the the national lead for counter terrorism policing, said: Rowley, who is the national lead for counter-terrorism policing, said:
“As a precaution forces across the UK have increased policing presence at key locations, including transport hubs, to protect the public and provide reassurance. This is not in relation to any specific information or intelligence.“As a precaution forces across the UK have increased policing presence at key locations, including transport hubs, to protect the public and provide reassurance. This is not in relation to any specific information or intelligence.
“In London specifically, the Metropolitan Police Service has mobilised additional officers, who will carry out highly visible patrols at key locations around the Capital including the transport network. The number of officers deployed will be regularly assessed. These additional officers are deployed as part of reassurance measures. “In London specifically, the Metropolitan Police Service has mobilised additional officers, who will carry out highly visible patrols at key locations around the capital including the transport network. The number of officers deployed will be regularly assessed. These additional officers are deployed as part of reassurance measures.
“The police presence across London and the rest of the UK is constantly under review “The police presence across London and the rest of the UK is constantly under review.
“We are in close liaison with the Belgium authorities and will continue to monitor the situation.“We are in close liaison with the Belgium authorities and will continue to monitor the situation.
“The threat to the UK from international terrorism remains at severe as it has been since August 2014, meaning an attack is highly likely.“The threat to the UK from international terrorism remains at severe as it has been since August 2014, meaning an attack is highly likely.
“We urge the public and businesses to be alert but not alarmed and report anything suspicious to the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321. In an emergency always call 999.”“We urge the public and businesses to be alert but not alarmed and report anything suspicious to the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321. In an emergency always call 999.”
Updated
at 10.44am GMT
10.24am GMT10.24am GMT
10:2410:24
France is to deploy an extra 1,600 police at its borders in the wake of the Brussels attack, interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve has announced. France is to deploy an extra 1,600 police at its borders following the Brussels attack, interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve has announced.
“It is essential to maintain a vigilance,” he said in a televised address.“It is essential to maintain a vigilance,” he said in a televised address.
EN DIRECT Cazeneuve "Titre de transport et pièce d'identité obligatoire dans les transports" https://t.co/LIEhlp6yN7 pic.twitter.com/iVhngP1SrPEN DIRECT Cazeneuve "Titre de transport et pièce d'identité obligatoire dans les transports" https://t.co/LIEhlp6yN7 pic.twitter.com/iVhngP1SrP
Updated
at 10.42am GMT
10.23am GMT10.23am GMT
10:2310:23
Updated
at 10.43am GMT
10.16am GMT10.16am GMT
10:1610:16
The visible police presence at London’s Heathrow airport has been stepped up, the airport has announced.The visible police presence at London’s Heathrow airport has been stepped up, the airport has announced.
In statement a spokesman said:In statement a spokesman said:
“We take the safety and security of our passengers and colleagues very seriously. In the light of events in Brussels airport, we are working with the police at Heathrow who are providing a high visibility presence. We expect flights to Brussels Airport to be affected and ask passengers travelling there to check their flight status with their airline.” “We take the safety and security of our passengers and colleagues very seriously. In the light of events in Brussels airport, we are working with the police at Heathrow who are providing a high visibility presence. We expect flights to Brussels airport to be affected and ask passengers travelling there to check their flight status with their airline.”
Updated
at 10.41am GMT
10.13am GMT10.13am GMT
10:1310:13
European council president Donald Tusk said the Brussels attacks “mark another low by the terrorists”.European council president Donald Tusk said the Brussels attacks “mark another low by the terrorists”.
In a statement he said:In a statement he said:
I am appalled by the bombings this morning at Zavantem airport and the European district in Brussels which have cost several innocent lives and injured many others. I am appalled by the bombings this morning at Zaventem airport and the European district in Brussels which have cost several innocent lives and injured many others.
I extend my sincerest sympathies to the relatives and friends of the victims. These attacks mark another low by the terrorists in the service of hatred and violence.I extend my sincerest sympathies to the relatives and friends of the victims. These attacks mark another low by the terrorists in the service of hatred and violence.
The European institutions are hosted in Brussels thanks to the generosity of Belgium’s government and its people. The European Union returns this solidarity now and will fulfill its role to help Brussels, Belgium and Europe as a whole counter the terror threat which we are all facing.The European institutions are hosted in Brussels thanks to the generosity of Belgium’s government and its people. The European Union returns this solidarity now and will fulfill its role to help Brussels, Belgium and Europe as a whole counter the terror threat which we are all facing.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.25am GMT at 10.41am GMT
10.09am GMT10.09am GMT
10:0910:09
There is confusion about the death toll at the Maelbeek metro station close to EU offices.There is confusion about the death toll at the Maelbeek metro station close to EU offices.
Earlier the public broadcaster VTM said 10 people were killed. But another broadcaster VRT has since reported that no one was killed in that explosion.Earlier the public broadcaster VTM said 10 people were killed. But another broadcaster VRT has since reported that no one was killed in that explosion.
Passengers were injured in the blast, AP reports.Passengers were injured in the blast, AP reports.
Rescue workers set up a makeshift treatment centre in a pub. Dazed and shocked morning travelers streamed from the metro entrances as police tried to set up a security cordon. Rescue workers set up a makeshift treatment centre in a pub. Dazed and shocked morning travellers streamed from the metro entrances as police tried to set up a security cordon.
“The Metro was leaving Maelbeek station for Schuman when there was a really loud explosion,” said Alexandre Brans, 32, wiping blood from his face. “It was panic everywhere. There were a lot of people in the metro.” “The metro was leaving Maelbeek station for Schuman when there was a really loud explosion,” said Alexandre Brans, 32, wiping blood from his face. “It was panic everywhere. There were a lot of people in the metro.”
Francoise Ledune, a spokeswoman for the Brussels Metro, said on BFM television that there appeared to have been just one explosion, in a car that was stopped at Maelbeek. Françoise Ledune, a spokeswoman for the Brussels Metro, said on BFM television that there appeared to have been just one explosion, in a car that was stopped at Maelbeek.
First responders ran through the street outside with two people on stretchers, their clothes badly torn.First responders ran through the street outside with two people on stretchers, their clothes badly torn.
Updated
at 10.40am GMT
10.01am GMT10.01am GMT
10:0110:01
Belgium’s federal prosecutor has confirmed that the explosions at Brussels airport were carried out by a suicide bomber, according to broadcasters VTM and RTBF reported.Belgium’s federal prosecutor has confirmed that the explosions at Brussels airport were carried out by a suicide bomber, according to broadcasters VTM and RTBF reported.
9.54am GMT
09:54
Angelique Chrisafis
All trains to Brussels stations from Paris have been cancelled, writes Angelique Chrisafis.
At Paris’s Gare du Nord station scores of passengers on a morning Thalys train ready to depart for Brussels were told to get off the train and that all international departures to Belgium had been suspended.
9.52am GMT
09:52
Jason Burke
Were the apparent attacks revenge for Salah Abdeslam’s arrest? asks Jason Burke.
Any threat from Islamic militants to Europe may rise and fall, but does not disappear when a single figure is arrested, however much he was sought. The “major blow” struck on Friday, as senior policymakers called it, now looks less major.
Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam shot and arrested in Brussels Read more
The second is that both terrorists and those trying to stop them seek to keep the initiative. This has a practical and a psychological aspect. For counter-terrorist agencies, the aim is to get information fast enough to mount raids and sweep up suspects before they even have time to work out who among them has been picked up and who might have talked, let alone plan a new strike. Networks quickly fall apart under such relentless pressure, as was shown in Iraq in the middle of the last decade.
For the terrorists, the aim is to show they can still terrorise, mobilise and polarise with violence. This is not so much about revenge, but simply demonstrating a continued capability. They may be down but, they are saying, they are not out.
Related: Brussels attacks: were they revenge for Abdeslam's arrest?
9.49am GMT
09:49
American Airlines said all of its employees and contractors are accounted for after the blast at the airport departure hall.
Statement from @AmericanAir on #Brussels airport explosions. All employees accounted, no reported injuries. pic.twitter.com/rbBjs76fni
Here’s an aerial view of the blast site.
9.44am GMT
09:44
Shaun Walker
There’s been some bitter reaction to the attacks from Russia, writes Shaun Walker.
The chair of the Duma’s foreign policy committee, Alexei Pushkov, tweeted: “While [Nato chief Jens] Stoltenberg, is busy fighting the imaginary ‘Russian threat’ and putting troops in Latvia, under his nose in Brussels people are blown up.”
Пока Столтенберг, себя не помня, сражается с мнимой "росс. угрозой" и размещает войска в Латвии, у него под носом, в Брюсселе взрывают людей
And more Russian schadenfreude came from foreign ministryspokeswoman Maria Zakharova, who reportedly said: “You can’t support terrorists in one part of the globe and not expect them to appear in others.”
Захарова о взрывах: Нельзя поддерживать террористов в одних частях планеты и думать, что они не придут в другие pic.twitter.com/pRPXqxGocG
Updated
at 9.48am GMT
9.40am GMT
09:40
Belgium’s prime minister, Charles Michel, has warned the Belgian public to “avoid any movement” for the time being.
Pour le moment, nous demandons à la population d'éviter tout déplacement. Call centre de centre de crise : 1771.
Reinforcements have arrived at Michel’s office.
Additional military reinforcements have been deployed near the PM office. #Brussels (image via @Le_Bux) pic.twitter.com/L02QLY7kRG
Updated
at 9.48am GMT
9.37am GMT
09:37
Brussels airport will stay closed until 6am on Wednesday.
UPDATE: the airport is closed until 6am tomorrow and all incoming and departing flights are cancelled. More info >> https://t.co/6PnldKaPmv
Updated
at 9.40am GMT
9.35am GMT
09:35
Eurostar in London has suspended trains to and from Brussels Midi station.
UPDATE: No trains are currently running to or from Brussels Midi. Brussels customers are advised to postpone, and not come to station.
Updated
at 9.40am GMT
9.33am GMT
09:33
Martin Schulz, president of the European parliament, has condemned what he described as “heinous attacks”.
My thoughts with #Brussels and its citizens after these heinous attacks. Stay in a safe place, follow instructions of authorities
Updated
at 9.40am GMT
9.31am GMT
09:31
This aerial view shows how close the metro blast was to the EU buildings in Brussels.
9.29am GMT
09:29
There are unconfirmed reports that 23 people have been killed in both attacks.
The Belgian broadcaster VTM said 10 people were killed in the blast at the Maelbeek metro station. Earlier, it said the death toll at the Zaventem airport in Brussels had risen to 13.
Updated
at 9.41am GMT