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Brussels explosions: multiple casualties after airport and metro blasts – live Brussels explosions: multiple casualties after airport and metro attacks – live
(35 minutes later)
11.35am GMT
11:35
Flags at the European Commission have been lowered.
Flags have been lowered at Commission HQ #brussels pic.twitter.com/9NPb3Go0Fi
A spokesman for the commission said Europe was united against terrorism.
"We stand together, united against terror and in full solidarity with the people of #Brussels" @MargSchinas https://t.co/G541QOrI1W
11.32am GMT
11:32
French president François Hollande said the whole of Europe has been hit by today’s attack.
J’exprime mon entière solidarité avec le peuple belge. À travers les attentats de Bruxelles, c’est toute l’Europe qui est frappée.
There has been widespread international condemnation.
Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences on the civilian deaths in a series of explosions in Brussels
Pres.@AshrafGhani strongly condemns the terrorist attacks in #Brussels. Our thoughts are w/ victims' families, people & Kingdom of #Belgium.
News from Brussels is disturbing. The attacks are condemnable. Condolences to families of the deceased. May those injured recover quickly.
BXL attacked by terrorists. I feel sorrow and anger. Let's hunt them down and stay united in our fight for european values. #brusselsattack
11.27am GMT
11:27
Belgian TV station Ring TV has posted an appeal to people living near Zaventem airport to bring blankets, water, food and essential medical supplies to the local gym being used as a makeshift shelter, writes Oliver Milne.
Updated
at 11.39am GMT
11.25am GMT
11:25
Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins calls for “patience and restraint” in response to the attacks.
He writes:
The blanket media coverage assured for any act of violence is reckless. The media must “report”, but it need not go berserk in revelling in the violence caused, as it manifestly has done to Islamic State brutality. More serious, the intention of the terrorist is clearly to shut down western society, to show liberal democracy to be a sham and to invoke the persecution of Muslims. Yet that is the invariable response of the security industry to these incidents. Convinced of its potency, it dare not admit there are some things against which it cannot protect us. So when incidents occur it jerks the knee and demands ever more money and ever more power. It must not be given them.
Related: Our response to the Brussels bombings requires patience and restraint | Simon Jenkins
Updated
at 11.37am GMT
11.19am GMT
11:19
The Eiffel Tower is to be lit up in the colours of the Belgian flag as a mark of solidarity, writes Oliver Milne.
Anne Hidalgo, mayor of Paris, tweeted: “In solidarity with the people of Brussels, tonight Paris will light the Eiffel Tower in the colours of the Belgian flag.”
En solidarité avec les Bruxellois, #Paris illuminera ce soir @LaTourEiffel aux couleurs du drapeau belge. #NousSommesUnis
Updated
at 11.25am GMT
11.15am GMT
11:15
Rachel Obordo
Sarah, who is locked down in one of the EU institution buildings on Rue Belliard, less than 500m from Maelbeek station, contacted us via WhatsApp.
She told us that a controlled explosion took place on Rue de la Loi very close to Maelbeek station.
The following video was taken 15 minutes after the initial explosion this morning at Maelbeek station.
This is the scene on Rue Belliard, near Maelbeek station, 15 minutes after reports of the explosion at the stationhttps://t.co/tDx51kvGn6
If you’re in Brussels you can share your eyewitness accounts, photos and videos or news tips direct with our journalists by clicking on the blue button in the live blog.
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Please think about your security first when recording and sharing your content.
Updated
at 11.24am GMT
11.08am GMT
11:08
Police patrols at Manchester airport have been stepped up as a precaution. In a statement Manchester’s assistant chief constable John O’Hare said:
“There is no specific threat in Greater Manchester following the events this morning but we remain at a threat level of severe.
“We are working closely with Manchester airport to ensure that the appropriate response is in place and we have increased our patrols to support this.
“We will continue to review the situation and maintain our increased patrols in crowded areas, iconic locations and transport hubs.
“The events today in Brussels reinforce the need for us all to remain vigilant and report any concerns whilst continuing with normal daily life.”
Updated
at 11.11am GMT
11.06am GMT
11:06
The Belgian prime minister, Charles Michael, has condemned the attacks as “blind, violent and cowardly”.
He added: “We must face this challenge in solidarity, united, together.”
Updated
at 11.10am GMT
10.59am GMT10.59am GMT
10:5910:59
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.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.“It is too early to discuss any more details about the attackers,” Van Leeuw told journalists at the press conference.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.00am GMTat 11.00am GMT
10.56am GMT10.56am GMT
10:5610:56
15 killed in metro blast15 killed in metro blast
The Metro operator La Stib has confirmed that 15 people were killed in the Maelbeek metro station blast. The metro operator STIB-MIVB 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#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
Updated
at 11.16am GMT
10.52am GMT10.52am GMT
10:5210:52
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.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.
Updated
at 11.21am GMT
10.50am GMT10.50am GMT
10:5010:50
Belgian PM: 'What we feared, has happened'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.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.“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”.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.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”.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#Flash Double attentat à #Bruxelles: Charles Michel appelle au calme https://t.co/Q6YSUN8EIv pic.twitter.com/nag2stviuQ
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.55am GMTat 10.55am GMT
10.44am GMT10.44am GMT
10:4410:44
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.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/nmaKraEzaBUPDATE: 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
10:29
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.
“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.
“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.”
Updated
at 10.44am GMT
10.24am GMT
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.
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
10:23
Updated
at 10.43am GMT
10.16am GMT
10:16
The visible police presence at London’s Heathrow airport has been stepped up, the airport has announced.
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
10:13
European council president Donald Tusk said the Brussels attacks “mark another low by the terrorists”.
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.
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
at 10.41am GMT
10.09am GMT
10:09
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.
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.
Updated
at 10.40am GMT
10.01am GMT
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.