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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) | |
1.53pm GMT | |
13:53 | |
The French interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, said the attacks reinforced the need for “very high security” at this summer’s European football championship in France, AP reports. | |
Cazeneuve said that everything will be put in place during the tournament from 10 June-10 July to guarantee “collective security”. | |
In the wake of the Paris attacks that left 130 people dead in November, tournament organisers had already strengthened security measures and made changes to fan zones. Cazeneuve said the state would contribute up to €2m for video surveillance in the designated areas for the public. | |
Cazeneuve said Euro 2016 should bring “sportsmanship, festivities and security for teams, accompanying staff and spectators”. | |
Updated | |
at 1.59pm GMT | |
1.49pm GMT | |
13:49 | |
Parents in Belgium have been told that there is no reason to panic and to pick up their children from school at the normal time, writes Oliver Milne. | |
Speaking to VTM News, the Flemish education minister, Hilde Crevits, said: “Parents’ concerns are understandable, but they should stay where they are. Your children are secure and safe in school.” | |
Crevits also told viewers that all after-school clubs and school trips had been cancelled and that extra security measures had been put in place in all schools in Brussels and Flanders. | |
Extra waakzaamheid in alle scholen in Vlaanderen en Brussel https://t.co/Iixg8hH01W | |
Updated | |
at 1.57pm GMT | |
1.44pm GMT | |
13:44 | |
As yet there has been no claim of responsibility, but social media accounts linked to Islamic State militants have praised the attacks, according to jihadi watcher Michael Horowitz, a security analyst at the Levantine Group. | |
Pro-#ISIS accounts hinting that the group was behind the #Brussels attack (this is NOT a claim) pic.twitter.com/3pa8ctMoTi | |
Updated | |
at 1.49pm GMT | |
1.36pm GMT | |
13:36 | |
The Belgian Taxi Drivers Union has urged its members to offer free rides to those stranded after the attacks, writes Oliver Milne. | |
The union tweeted: “Friends offer your services to your fellow citizens and help evacute people safely. Thank you.” | |
Merci à tous pour votre solidarité et vos compteurs éteints encore besoin de #taxis Stationstraat à Zaventem village pic.twitter.com/pbCcAxvbRc | |
1.31pm GMT | |
13:31 | |
More than a hundred people were injured and at least 20 people were killed at the Maelbeek metro station, writes Oliver Milne. | |
Speaking at a press conference, the mayor of Brussels, Yvan Mayeur, said that at least 20 people died in the explosion at the metro station, but that it is “too early to say exactly what the number of victims will be”. | |
He confirmed that 106 people had been injured in the metro station blast. | |
Burgemeester Brussel: "Balans aanslagen zal erg zwaar zijn, maar het is te vroeg voor exacte cijfers." https://t.co/wCXumq4CB0 | |
Updated | |
at 1.36pm GMT | |
1.28pm GMT | |
13:28 | |
The social media response to the Brussels attacks has many echoes of the reaction to the Paris attacks in November and the raid on the Charlie Hebdo magazine, writes Elena Cresci. | |
One of the most widely shared comes from Le Monde cartoonist Plantu: | |
#Bruxelles L'hommage de Plantu https://t.co/sBBY9mGViE pic.twitter.com/WNoXNAwCUT | |
Others have shared pictures of a crying Tintin: | |
#Bruxelles(dessin de Mitch) pic.twitter.com/sv3LvKM0k2 | |
Illustrators have also taken inspiration from Mannekin Pis, the landmark sculpture in Brussels of a boy urinating into a fountain. | |
#Life & #Art must go on ... F*** #Terrorism ! #Art #JeSuisBruxelles #Zaventem #MannekenPis #NoAK47 #NoWar pic.twitter.com/IuC40efj4v | |
Terror can't kill Belgian sense of humor. Pis and love Brussels. via @esperanzah pic.twitter.com/oJTLfKsAQ0 | |
Or this image of fries giving the middle finger: | |
pic.twitter.com/JlYNngIFxq | |
There have also been cartoons criticising the difference between the reactions to attacks elsewhere in the world and in Europe. Ali Dilem, a cartoonist for TV5Monde and Algerian newspaper Liberté tweeted the following: | |
#Bruxelles #attentats @TV5MONDE pic.twitter.com/LACoTanWhB | |
Commemorative hashtags used so far include #JeSuis | |
Updated | |
at 1.34pm GMT | |
1.23pm GMT | 1.23pm GMT |
13:23 | 13:23 |
Witnesses describe explosions inside the terminal building at Brussels airport in this video. | Witnesses describe explosions inside the terminal building at Brussels airport in this video. |
1.21pm GMT | 1.21pm GMT |
13:21 | 13:21 |
Spencer Ackerman | Spencer Ackerman |
A US official has said there are no current indications of a terror threat to the United States following the 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 that 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”. | |
Updated | |
at 1.27pm GMT | |
1.18pm GMT | 1.18pm GMT |
13:18 | 13:18 |
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has added his voice to those condemning the attacks. He said: | 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. | 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 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 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.” | “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. | 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. | 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 | 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 | 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 | #PID Pakistan condemns Brussels terrorist attacks https://t.co/gjibhrWsZP |
Updated | Updated |
at 1.24pm GMT | at 1.24pm GMT |
1.17pm GMT | 1.17pm GMT |
13:17 | 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. | 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. | 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 | Updated |
at 1.22pm GMT | at 1.22pm GMT |
1.12pm GMT | 1.12pm GMT |
13:12 | 13:12 |
Matthew Holmes | 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. | 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 | The scene inside Brussels metro as passengers walked along the tracks following the explosion at Maelbeck stationhttps://t.co/X8AYzXGaLX |
He said: | 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. | “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.” | “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.” | “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. | 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. | 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. | Please think about your security first when recording and sharing your content. |
Updated | Updated |
at 1.15pm GMT | at 1.15pm GMT |
1.08pm GMT | 1.08pm GMT |
13:08 | 13:08 |
The confirmed death toll from both attacks now stands at 34. | 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. | 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. | 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 | Updated |
at 1.13pm GMT | at 1.13pm GMT |
1.05pm GMT | 1.05pm GMT |
13:05 | 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. | 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. | It was blown up in a controlled explosion by a bomb squad. |
Updated | Updated |
at 1.12pm GMT | at 1.12pm GMT |
12.59pm GMT | 12.59pm GMT |
12:59 | 12:59 |
Police have conducted a controlled explosion at the Vrije University in central Brussels. | 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. | UPDATE: The explosion you just heard was a controlled initiated explosion by the bomb squad. |
12.57pm GMT | 12.57pm GMT |
12:57 | 12:57 |
One British national injured | 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. | One British national is known to have been injured in the bomb attack on the airport in Brussels, Downing Street said. |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.58pm GMT | at 12.58pm GMT |