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Brussels Metro system shut down following explosion at station near EU institutions 'leaving several injured' Brussels Metro system shut down following station explosion as Belgium terror alert level raised to maximum
(35 minutes later)
Several people have been injured and the entire Brussels Metro system shut down following an explosion at a station near EU institutions. The entire Brussels Metro system shut down following an explosion at a station near EU institutions that has reportedly killed 10 people, as Belgium's terror threat has been raised to its highest level. 
The Associated Press is reporting several people injured in the blast at the city's Maelbeek station.  Black smoke was seen pouring from Maelbeek station following the blast. Belgian media have reported 10 people were killed by the explosion.  
The Brussels Metro network tweeted from its official account that “All metro stations are closing” and passengers underground have been evacuated from trains, appearing to be walking along the tracks to reach ground level.  Passengers elswehere on the underground network have been evacuated from trains, appearing to be walking along the tracks to reach ground level. 
The blast came barely an hour after two separate explosions at Brussels Airport left up to 10 people dead and as many wounded. The Brussels Metro network tweeted from its official account that “All metro stations are closing”. All rail stations also have reportedly been shut and the Belgian interior minister has raised the country’s terror alert to its highest level.
A witness at Maelbeek station told Belgian broadcaster RTBF: "We left Maelbeek station towards the centre at around 9.07, 9.10, when we felt an explosion which appeared to come from the front of the train. The country was already at level three following the capture of Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam in a Brussels suburb last week. 
The blast at Maelbeek station came barely an hour after two separate explosions at Brussels Airport. Local media is reporting as many as 13 people have been killed and 35 severely injured in the explosions. 
A witness at the station told Belgian broadcaster RTBF: "We left Maelbeek station towards the centre at around 9.07, 9.10, when we felt an explosion which appeared to come from the front of the train.
"The lights went off, there was panic given what happened at Brussels airport."The lights went off, there was panic given what happened at Brussels airport.
"The doors of the train were forced open to get off the train. There was a lot of smoke. We left via Maelbeek station. The glass doors were blown out. The explosion must have been violent.""The doors of the train were forced open to get off the train. There was a lot of smoke. We left via Maelbeek station. The glass doors were blown out. The explosion must have been violent."
The Belgian interior minister has raised the country’s terror threat to its highest level. The country was already at level three following the capture of Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam in a Brussels suburb last week.