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| Brussels Maalbeek Metro attack: Further explosion after several killed at Brussels Airport | |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| An explosion has detonated at a Metro station in Brussels. 15 people have died and 10 others are injured, a spokesperson for the Metro operator La Stib has said. | An explosion has detonated at a Metro station in Brussels. 15 people have died and 10 others are injured, a spokesperson for the Metro operator La Stib has said. |
| A spokesperson for emergency services called the blast "a very big explosion". | A spokesperson for emergency services called the blast "a very big explosion". |
| It took place at Maalbeek Metro Station in central Brussels which is situated near the headquarters of the European Union. | It took place at Maalbeek Metro Station in central Brussels which is situated near the headquarters of the European Union. |
| Francoise Ledune, a spokesperson for Brussels Metro, told local media that there appeared to have been just one explosion , in a car which was stopped at Maalbeek. | Francoise Ledune, a spokesperson for Brussels Metro, told local media that there appeared to have been just one explosion , in a car which was stopped at Maalbeek. |
| Eye witnesses reported being evacuated after the station filled with smoke. | Eye witnesses reported being evacuated after the station filled with smoke. |
| Those travelling in carriages reported being told to get off and walk along the tracks through smoke to the next station. | Those travelling in carriages reported being told to get off and walk along the tracks through smoke to the next station. |
| Photos posted to social media appear to show people running out of the station and into the adjoining street. The blast took place during rush hour when the Metro was full of passengers commuting to work. | Photos posted to social media appear to show people running out of the station and into the adjoining street. The blast took place during rush hour when the Metro was full of passengers commuting to work. |
| Alexandre Brans was in the Metro when the blast happened. He told AP: "The metro was leaving Maelbeek subway station when there was a really loud explosion. It was panic everywhere. There were a lot of people in the metro." | Alexandre Brans was in the Metro when the blast happened. He told AP: "The metro was leaving Maelbeek subway station when there was a really loud explosion. It was panic everywhere. There were a lot of people in the metro." |
| Metro company STIB announced on Twitter that all Metro stations are now closed. | Metro company STIB announced on Twitter that all Metro stations are now closed. |
| Emergency services staff carried injured people out of the station on stretchers, many of whom were seen to have torn and blood stained clothes. | Emergency services staff carried injured people out of the station on stretchers, many of whom were seen to have torn and blood stained clothes. |
| A makeshift treatment centre to give emergency medical aid to the wounded has been set up at a nearby pub. | A makeshift treatment centre to give emergency medical aid to the wounded has been set up at a nearby pub. |
| The EU building is just a short walk from the Metro station. The European commission has reportedly sealed off the building following the attack and told staff to remain inside. EU institutions are on 'organge alert' meaning that all meetings are cancelled. EU's delegation to Rwanda tweeted that he had felt the blast in the next station. | The EU building is just a short walk from the Metro station. The European commission has reportedly sealed off the building following the attack and told staff to remain inside. EU institutions are on 'organge alert' meaning that all meetings are cancelled. EU's delegation to Rwanda tweeted that he had felt the blast in the next station. |
| The blast follows two explosions at Zaventem Airport in Brussels this morning shortly before 8am local time (7am GMT). At least 13 people are reported to have died and several others are seriously injured. | The blast follows two explosions at Zaventem Airport in Brussels this morning shortly before 8am local time (7am GMT). At least 13 people are reported to have died and several others are seriously injured. |
| Increased security measures have been in place in recent weeks, especially following the capture of Salah Abdeslam on Friday during a raid linked to the November Paris attacks. | Increased security measures have been in place in recent weeks, especially following the capture of Salah Abdeslam on Friday during a raid linked to the November Paris attacks. |
| This breaking news story will be updated shortly. | This breaking news story will be updated shortly. |
| If you want to receive Breaking News alerts via email from The Independent you can sign up here. | If you want to receive Breaking News alerts via email from The Independent you can sign up here. |
| You can also follow @Independent on Twitter to follow the latest updates. | You can also follow @Independent on Twitter to follow the latest updates. |