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Brussels explosions: multiple casualties after airport and metro attacks – live Brussels explosions: multiple casualties after airport and metro attacks – live
(35 minutes later)
12.08pm GMT
12:08
The mayor of London has suggested there may be one British “casualty” but it is unclear whether he is referring to someone possibly killed or injured.
.@BorisJohnson reveals there may be one British casualty in Brussels - but "details are very sketchy at the moment' pic.twitter.com/rDqlFnFYZA
The BBC’s Norman Smith reports that a British person is reported to be injured.
Reports of one British person "injured" in #Brussels attack
12.05pm GMT
12:05
CNN is reporting that the Belgian royal family has been evacuated.
Belgian royal family now evacuated. Officials are also asking public for blood donations - CNN #brusselsattack #Brussels #brusselsattack
11.57am GMT
11:57
Journalist Matthew Keys has put together air traffic audio of a pilot being told of the attack as his plane approached Brussels airport.
Air traffic control dispatches from Brussels airport following twin explosions there this morning pic.twitter.com/J1dk60pZZ9
Updated
at 12.02pm GMT
11.55am GMT
11:55
Trump and Ukip blame 'lax' border controls
Reuters has a little more on Donald Trump’s reaction on Fox News.
He said: “I would close up our borders … We are lax and we are foolish.”
Ukip took a similar line. Its defence spokesman, Mike Hookem, blamed the attack on freedom of movement.
He said: “This horrific act of terrorism shows that Schengen free movement and lax border controls are a threat to our security.”
Updated
at 12.02pm GMT
11.51am GMT
11:51
An Indian woman working for Jet Airways is among the injured, India’s minister of external affairs has said.
I am in touch with Mr Manjeev Puri Indian Ambassador in Brussels. He has informed me that so far there is no report of any Indian casualty.
However, an Indian lady crew member of Jet Airways is injured. She has been rushed to the hospital./2
Updated
at 11.53am GMT
11.48am GMT
11:48
A Kalashnikov rifle has been found in the departure hall at Zaventem airport, according to Belgian news channel RTBF.
#Bruxelles #brusselsattacks #Brussels Une kalachnikov a été retrouvée dans le hall des départs de #Zaventem https://t.co/cHKEHwgLsW
11.46am GMT
11:46
A Slovenian diplomat is among the injured, the Slovenian foreign minister, Karl Erjavec, has told reporters.
Erjavec told a news conference that the diplomat, who was not named, was in hospital and his life was not in danger.
Media reports said the diplomat was injured in the metro blast on his way to work.
Updated
at 11.52am GMT
11.44am GMT
11:44
Statements from officials put the death toll at 26, with 136 wounded.
Maggie de Block, the Belgian health minister, confirmed that 11 people died and 81 were injured in the airport explosions, which the Belgian prosecutor said were caused by a suicide attack.
The Belgian metro authority, STIB-MIVB, told RTBF that at least 15 people were killed in the Maelbeek metro blast and 55 were injured, including 10 critically.
Updated
at 11.51am GMT
11.42am GMT
11:42
The US president, Barack Obama, who is visiting Cuba, has been briefed on the blasts.
“The president was apprised this morning of the explosions in Brussels, Belgium,” an official said after the blasts at Brussels airport and a metro station. “US officials have been and will continue to be in close contact with their Belgian counterparts.”
Meanwhile US Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump reacted by saying he would “close up borders”.
Updated
at 11.49am GMT
11.35am GMT11.35am GMT
11:3511:35
Flags at the European Commission have been lowered. Flags at the European commission have been lowered.
Flags have been lowered at Commission HQ #brussels pic.twitter.com/9NPb3Go0FiFlags have been lowered at Commission HQ #brussels pic.twitter.com/9NPb3Go0Fi
A spokesman for the commission said Europe was united against terrorism.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"We stand together, united against terror and in full solidarity with the people of #Brussels" @MargSchinas https://t.co/G541QOrI1W
Updated
at 11.41am GMT
11.32am GMT11.32am GMT
11:3211:32
French president François Hollande said the whole of Europe has been hit by today’s attack. The French president, François Hollande, says 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.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.There has been widespread international condemnation.
Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences on the civilian deaths in a series of explosions in BrusselsVladimir 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.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.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. #brusselsattackBXL attacked by terrorists. I feel sorrow and anger. Let's hunt them down and stay united in our fight for european values. #brusselsattack
Updated
at 11.40am GMT
11.27am GMT11.27am GMT
11:2711:27
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.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.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.39am GMTat 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.
You can also email, text, tweet, fill in our form or contact us on WhatsApp on +447867825056.
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 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 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
Updated
at 11.16am GMT
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.
Updated
at 11.21am GMT
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