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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) | |
| 1.23pm GMT | |
| 13:23 | |
| Witnesses describe explosions inside the terminal building at Brussels airport in this video. | |
| 1.21pm GMT | |
| 13:21 | |
| Spencer Ackerman | |
| A US official said there are no current indications of a terror threat to the United States in the wake of Brussels attacks, writes Spencer Ackerman. | |
| The US department of homeland security (DHS), tasked with protecting the US from a domestic attack, encouraged Americans to “report any suspicious activity in their communities to the appropriate law enforcement authorities” following the attack. | |
| DHS press secretary Marsha Catron urged public vigilance and warned the department would “not hesitate to adjust our security posture, as appropriate, to protect the American people”. | |
| A White House official said President Barack Obama, currently visiting Cuba, was “apprised” of the Brussels attack and that administration officials would “continue to be in close contact with their Belgian counterparts.” | |
| 1.18pm GMT | |
| 13:18 | |
| Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has added his voice to those condemning the attacks. He said: | |
| Today, our thoughts and sympathies are with the people of Brussels. | |
| “We stand in solidarity with the victims of these horrific attacks, their friends and families, and the men and women of the emergency services. | |
| “We must defend our security and values in the face of such terrorist outrages, and refuse to be drawn into a cycle of violence and hatred. | |
| “We take pride in our societies of diverse faiths, races and creeds and will not allow those who seek to divide us to succeed.” | |
| World leaders from across the world continue to express horror at the attacks. | |
| I strongly condemn today's deplorable terrorist attacks in Brussels. My thoughts are with the victims as we stand with Belgium & the EU. | |
| Prime Minister @Ahmet_Davutoglu condemns #Brussels terror attacks. https://t.co/Vh58Ie9y6g pic.twitter.com/6qV8Q1ktH8 | |
| PM António Costa assina Livro de Condolências no Consulado Belga na Madeira pelos atentados em Bruxelas . pic.twitter.com/avjLGY9bLo | |
| #PID Pakistan condemns Brussels terrorist attacks https://t.co/gjibhrWsZP | |
| Updated | |
| at 1.24pm GMT | |
| 1.17pm GMT | |
| 13:17 | |
| Flags are being flown at half-mast on UK government buildings in solidarity with Belgium, and the Belgian flag is being raised over Downing Street. | |
| After the Cobra emergency meeting chaired by the prime minister, David Cameron’s official spokeswoman said security has been increased in the UK at airports, Dover, Calais, London St Pancras International and the east coast ports. It has also been increased at key London transport interchanges and on the tube system. | |
| Updated | |
| at 1.22pm GMT | |
| 1.12pm GMT | |
| 13:12 | |
| Matthew Holmes | |
| Thomas Bignal, a Briton living in Brussels, sent this video to the Guardian after being evacuated from a metro train just outside Maelbeek station, which is 400m from his office. | |
| The scene inside Brussels metro as passengers walked along the tracks following the explosion at Maelbeck stationhttps://t.co/X8AYzXGaLX | |
| He said: | |
| “People stayed reasonably calm but there were a few very scared people, calling family and friends. After a minute or two, there was lots of smoke and a plasticy smell and it became increasingly warm and difficult to breathe. | |
| “The STIB driver came out after a minute and told everyone to wait, that there was a bomb and that we would go out through the back of the train. It then took maybe about 15 mins for everyone to get out. We then walked back through the tracks to Arts Loi, two policemen came to help a man with a walking stick and the STIB driver was really excellent.” | |
| “On the surface, there was not any support, everyone just went their own way. The police had blocked the roads – they also told us they didn’t know much more than us and it was all a bit surreal.” | |
| 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 1.15pm GMT | |
| 1.08pm GMT | |
| 13:08 | |
| The confirmed death toll from both attacks now stands at 34. | |
| Maggie de Block, the Belgian health minister, said 14 people died and 81 were injured in the airport explosions. | |
| The Belgian metro authority, STIB-MIVB, and emergency services said 20 people were killed in the Maelbeek metro blast. STIB-MIVB said a further 55 people were injured, including 10 critically. | |
| Updated | |
| at 1.13pm GMT | |
| 1.05pm GMT | |
| 13:05 | |
| An unexploded suicide vest, thought to belong to a third terrorist at Brussels airport, was discovered at the facility, according to an unconfirmed report by the private broadcaster VTM. | |
| It was blown up in a controlled explosion by a bomb squad. | |
| Updated | |
| at 1.12pm GMT | |
| 12.59pm GMT | |
| 12:59 | |
| Police have conducted a controlled explosion at the Vrije University in central Brussels. | |
| UPDATE: The explosion you just heard was a controlled initiated explosion by the bomb squad. | |
| 12.57pm GMT | |
| 12:57 | |
| One British national injured | |
| One British national is known to have been injured in the bomb attack on the airport in Brussels, Downing Street said. | |
| Updated | |
| at 12.58pm GMT | |
| 12.52pm GMT | |
| 12:52 | |
| Oliver Milne writes | |
| Flemish news channel VTM is reporting that the Belgian justice department is warning journalists, from Belgium and abroad, not to report on ongoing police investigations which could put the lives of the public or police officers at risk. | |
| French language newspaper Le Soir pledged that it would not report on active police operations. | |
| .@lesoir décide de ne PLUS diffuser d'informations sur les perquisitions en cours https://t.co/Q6YSUN8EIv pic.twitter.com/s8asX1ZziY | |
| Updated | |
| at 12.58pm GMT | |
| 12.50pm GMT | |
| 12:50 | |
| Reports saying that the Royal Palace in Brussels was evacuated after the attacks were incorrect, the Belgian monarchy Twitter account says. | |
| Contrairement à certaines affirmations, le Palais Royal n'a pas été évacué. | |
| Updated | |
| at 12.57pm GMT | |
| 12.50pm GMT | |
| 12:50 | |
| Arthur Neslen | |
| The Guardian’s Arthur Neslen has been speaking to health officials at a hospital where some of the injured are being treated. | |
| I asked Renaud Mazy, the hospital CEO if they wanted soldiers diverted here to help. | |
| He said: “I’m not requesting help – we can organise ourselves and take the right decisions – but due to the fact that it’s a hospital with lots of people in it, it’s maybe better for the authorities to send specific protection here.” | |
| Officials set up a ‘Mash’ operation – it’s actually called Mash – where 11 people are being treated so far. | |
| They’re expecting more and I get the sense they’re worried about more attacks. The hospital is also in a kind of lockdown. There are body searches on way in. | |
| Injured man #brusselsattack pic.twitter.com/zrgvSmEHAO | |
| Updated | |
| at 12.56pm GMT | |
| 12.43pm GMT | 12.43pm GMT |
| 12:43 | 12:43 |
| Elena Cresci | 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. | 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 | 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: | Belgians are also using #PorteOuvert and #OpenHouse: |
| Find shelter. Organize. Help with these Hashtags in #Brüssel: #IkWilHelpen #openhouse #porteouverte 🙏😢🙏 | 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. | 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 | Updated |
| at 12.48pm GMT | at 12.48pm GMT |
| 12.42pm GMT | 12.42pm GMT |
| 12:42 | 12:42 |
| Report: 34 dead | Report: 34 dead |
| The death toll from both the attacks has increased to 34, according to an unconfirmed report by the Belgium broadcaster VRT. | 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. | 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 | BREAKING: Public broadcaster VRT raises Brussels death toll to 34, 20 on Metro, 14 at a airport - @DailyStarLebhttps://t.co/ELYypeIBOF |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.48pm GMT | at 12.48pm GMT |
| 12.35pm GMT | 12.35pm GMT |
| 12:35 | 12:35 |
| Amanda Holpuch | 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. | 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. | 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.” | 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”. | 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 neighbours’ suspicious behaviour 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. | 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.” | “If they could expand the laws, I would do a lot more than waterboarding,” Trump said. “You have to get the information from people.” |
| Updated | |
| at 12.51pm GMT | |
| 12.35pm GMT | 12.35pm GMT |
| 12:35 | 12:35 |
| Cameron says 'we absolutely stand' with Belgium | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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”. | He said Ukip’s comments that the attack showed the Schengen area was a threat to UK security were “not appropriate”. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.49pm GMT | at 12.49pm GMT |
| 12.17pm GMT | 12.17pm GMT |
| 12:17 | 12:17 |
| American Airlines has said the explosions at Brussels airport did not occur near its check-in desk, as some reports suggested. | 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 | #BREAKING @AmericanAir statement on #Brussels, also says explosion did NOT happen at their ticket counter #WatchWBTV pic.twitter.com/pscjVs8ZMX |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.17pm GMT | at 12.17pm GMT |
| 12.08pm GMT | 12.08pm GMT |
| 12:08 | 12:08 |
| 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. | 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 attack | Reports of one British person "injured" in #Brussels attack |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.46pm GMT | at 12.46pm GMT |
| 12.05pm GMT | 12.05pm GMT |
| 12:05 | 12:05 |
| 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 #brusselsattack | Belgian royal family now evacuated. Officials are also asking public for blood donations - CNN #brusselsattack #Brussels #brusselsattack |