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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 GMT | 10.29am GMT |
10:29 | 10:29 |
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 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. | |
“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 GMT | 10.24am GMT |
10:24 | 10:24 |
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/iVhngP1SrP | EN 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 GMT | 10.23am GMT |
10:23 | 10:23 |
Updated | |
at 10.43am GMT | |
10.16am GMT | 10.16am GMT |
10:16 | 10:16 |
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.” | |
Updated | |
at 10.41am GMT | |
10.13am GMT | 10.13am GMT |
10:13 | 10:13 |
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 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. |
Updated | Updated |
at 10.41am GMT | |
10.09am GMT | 10.09am GMT |
10:09 | 10:09 |
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 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.” | |
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 GMT | 10.01am GMT |
10:01 | 10:01 |
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. |