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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)
12.43pm GMT
12:43
Elena Cresci
People in Belgium are tweeting #ikwillhelpen, “I want to help”, offering rooms and shelter to people who are stranded in Brussels because of the attacks.
Who needs a ride home? I’ll be leaving, hopefully, around 15u at Havenlaan Brussels towards Antwerp city. #ikwilhelpen #brusselslockdown
Belgians are also using #PorteOuvert and #OpenHouse:
Find shelter. Organize. Help with these Hashtags in #Brüssel: #IkWilHelpen #openhouse #porteouverte 🙏😢🙏
The hashtag is similar to #PorteOuvert, which was used by Parisians in the wake of November’s attacks, to offer aid to those affected with nowhere to stay.
Updated
at 12.48pm GMT
12.42pm GMT
12:42
Report: 34 dead
The death toll from both the attacks has increased to 34, according to an unconfirmed report by the Belgium broadcaster VRT.
It said 20 died in the metro attack and 14 were killed at the airport.
BREAKING: Public broadcaster VRT raises Brussels death toll to 34, 20 on Metro, 14 at a airport - @DailyStarLebhttps://t.co/ELYypeIBOF
Updated
at 12.48pm GMT
12.35pm GMT
12:35
Amanda Holpuch
In phone calls to US television shows, Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump said Brussels was a once beautiful place that had become a “disaster city” and an “armed camp” before today’s attacks, writes Amanda Holpuch.
He said such changes to the city, as in Paris, showed why the US should stop letting immigrants into the country.
Trump told Fox & Friends that if he were president, “I would close up our borders to people until we figure out what’s going on.”
Pressed by NBC’s Today Show, 15 minutes later, to explain who he would prevent from entering the country, Trump said he would exclude people from Syria and people who do not have “perfect documentation”.
He did not say that he would prevent Muslims from entering the country, as he has done repeatedly in the past, but he did suggest that Muslims were responsible for terrorist attacks if they did not report neighbors’ suspicious behavior to authorities.
If Trump were president today, he said, he would give US citizens a “pep talk”.
The Today presenters asked Trump what he would do if, as in the case in Belgium, he had Salah Abdeslam, a suspect in last year’s Paris attacks, in custody.
“If they could expand the laws, I would do a lot more than waterboarding,” Trump said. “You have to get the information from people.”
12.35pm GMT
12:35
Cameron says 'we absolutely stand' with Belgium
David Cameron says “we absolutely stand” with the Belgian people and that he has spoken to the Belgian prime minister, offering condolences and security support. He says the attacks could just as well have happened in Germany or the UK.
We face a very real terrorist threat right across the different countries of Europe and we have to meet that with everything we have.
The UK prime minister said it was too early to say whether any British people were caught up in the attacks. All necessary measures had been taken including increasing security at ports and airports, he said. The threat level to the UK, currently at its second highest level, would not be increased.
He said Ukip’s comments that the attack showed the Schengen area was a threat to UK security were “not appropriate”.
Updated
at 12.49pm GMT
12.17pm GMT
12:17
American Airlines has said the explosions at Brussels airport did not occur near its check-in desk, as some reports suggested.
#BREAKING @AmericanAir statement on #Brussels, also says explosion did NOT happen at their ticket counter #WatchWBTV pic.twitter.com/pscjVs8ZMX
Updated
at 12.17pm GMT
12.08pm GMT12.08pm GMT
12:0812:08
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. The mayor of London has suggested there might be one British “casualty” but it was unclear whether he was 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.@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.The BBC’s Norman Smith reports that a British person is reported to be injured.
Reports of one British person "injured" in #Brussels attackReports of one British person "injured" in #Brussels attack
Updated
at 12.46pm GMT
12.05pm GMT12.05pm GMT
12:0512:05
CNN is reporting that the Belgian royal family has been evacuated.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 #brusselsattackBelgian royal family now evacuated. Officials are also asking public for blood donations - CNN #brusselsattack #Brussels #brusselsattack
11.57am GMT11.57am GMT
11:5711:57
Journalist Matthew Keys has put together air traffic audio of a pilot being told of the attack as his plane approached Brussels airport.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/J1dk60pZZ9Air traffic control dispatches from Brussels airport following twin explosions there this morning pic.twitter.com/J1dk60pZZ9
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.02pm GMTat 12.02pm GMT
11.55am GMT11.55am GMT
11:5511:55
Trump and Ukip blame 'lax' border controlsTrump and Ukip blame 'lax' border controls
Reuters has a little more on Donald Trump’s reaction on Fox News.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.”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.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.”He said: “This horrific act of terrorism shows that Schengen free movement and lax border controls are a threat to our security.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.02pm GMTat 12.02pm GMT
11.51am GMT11.51am GMT
11:5111:51
An Indian woman working for Jet Airways is among the injured, India’s minister of external affairs has said.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.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./2However, an Indian lady crew member of Jet Airways is injured. She has been rushed to the hospital./2
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.53am GMTat 11.53am GMT
11.48am GMT11.48am GMT
11:4811:48
A Kalashnikov rifle has been found in the departure hall at Zaventem airport, according to Belgian news channel RTBF.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#Bruxelles #brusselsattacks #Brussels Une kalachnikov a été retrouvée dans le hall des départs de #Zaventem https://t.co/cHKEHwgLsW
11.46am GMT11.46am GMT
11:4611:46
A Slovenian diplomat is among the injured, the Slovenian foreign minister, Karl Erjavec, has told reporters.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.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.Media reports said the diplomat was injured in the metro blast on his way to work.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.52am GMTat 11.52am GMT
11.44am GMT11.44am GMT
11:4411:44
Statements from officials put the death toll at 26, with 136 wounded.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.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.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.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.51am GMTat 11.51am GMT
11.42am GMT11.42am GMT
11:4211:42
The US president, Barack Obama, who is visiting Cuba, has been briefed on the blasts.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.”“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”.Meanwhile US Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump reacted by saying he would “close up borders”.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.49am GMTat 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
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.41am GMTat 11.41am GMT
11.32am GMT11.32am GMT
11:3211:32
The French president, François Hollande, says 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
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.40am GMTat 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