This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/mar/23/brussels-attacks-police-search-airport-bomb-suspect-live

The article has changed 45 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 12 Version 13
Brussels attacks: Belgian police still hunting Najim Laachraoui – live Brussels attacks: Belgian police hunt suspect captured on CCTV – live
(35 minutes later)
12.38pm GMT
12:38
Here’s a summary of the main points from the press conference given by the Belgian federal prosecutor, Frederic Van Leeuw, writes Oliver Milne.
Updated
at 12.45pm GMT
12.27pm GMT
12:27
One person was bought in for questioning in Schaerbeek last night and was being interviewed by the police, Belgium’s federal prosecutor said, according to translation by Sky News. Another person had been released after a thorough interrogation, he added.
Frederic van Leeuw also named Belgian national Khalid el-Bakraoui as the suspected suicide bomber at Maelbeek metro station.
Updated
at 12.41pm GMT
12.19pm GMT12.19pm GMT
12:1912:19
Leeuw said 31 people were killed in the attacks, but this is likely rise as some of those injured are critically ill. He also said that 260 people were injured in the attacks. Leeuw said 32 people were killed in the attacks, but the death toll was likely rise as some of those injured were critically ill. He also said 270 people were injured in the explosions.
Updated
at 12.39pm GMT
12.17pm GMT12.17pm GMT
12:1712:17
Belgium federal prosecutor Frederic van Leeuw is give a news conference. He identified Ibrahim el-Bakraoui as the suicide bomber at the airport. Belgian federal prosecutor Frederic van Leeuw is giving a news conference. He confirmed media reports that Ibrahim el-Bakraoui was the suicide bomber at the airport.
Leeuw confirmed that a third suspect, Najim Laachraoui, is still on the run. Leeuw also confirmed that a third suspect, Najim Laachraoui, was still on the run.
Updated
at 12.32pm GMT
12.10pm GMT12.10pm GMT
12:1012:10
Vikram DoddVikram Dodd
Police across Britain are expected to continue their heightened presence on the streets and around transport hubs and other vulnerable potential targets, writes Vikram Dodd. Police across Britain are expected to continue their heightened presence on the streets and around transport hubs and other potential targets, writes Vikram Dodd.
The aim is to reassurance and soothe any public anxiety after the Brussels atrocities, but also act as deterrent for any attack. The aim is to ease public anxiety after the Brussels atrocities, but also to act as a deterrent. The increase in visibility is expected to continue over the busy Easter weekend.
The increase in police visibility is expected to last into and through the Easter weekend, when travel hubs, such as train stations and airports, will be particularly busy as people travel during the holiday period. Updated
at 12.34pm GMT
12.08pm GMT12.08pm GMT
12:0812:08
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, was joined by his French counterpart Manuel Valls and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to lay wreaths outside Maelbeek metro station. The Belgian prime minister, Charles Michel, was joined by his French counterpart, Manuel Valls, and the European commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker, as they laid wreaths outside Maelbeek metro station.
The Commission President tweeted, “These events hurt us but do not scare us. We will all face the terrorist threat.” Juncker tweeted: “These events hurt us but do not scare us. We will all face the terrorist threat.”
Ces évènements nous touchent mais ne nous effrayent pas. Nous ferons face ensemble à la menace terroriste #Maelbeek pic.twitter.com/UEubJGjwAYCes évènements nous touchent mais ne nous effrayent pas. Nous ferons face ensemble à la menace terroriste #Maelbeek pic.twitter.com/UEubJGjwAY
Updated
at 12.27pm GMT
12.06pm GMT12.06pm GMT
12:0612:06
The European Commissions department of agriculture remains closed today, while structural engineers conduct safety tests, writes Oliver Milne. The European commission’s agriculture department remains closed today while structural engineers conduct safety tests, writes Oliver Milne.
The department, which is located above Maelbeek station, will remain closed until experts have accessed the damage caused by yesterday’s blast, the department’s Comissioner Kristalina Georgieva has told journalists in Brussels. The department, located above Maelbeek station, will remain closed until experts have assessed the damage caused by yesterday’s blast, the department’s commissioner, Kristalina Georgieva, has said.
Commissioner Georgieva said that DG Agri building above Maelbeek station remains closed and will be checked for infrastructure damage.Commissioner Georgieva said that DG Agri building above Maelbeek station remains closed and will be checked for infrastructure damage.
Updated
at 12.48pm GMT
12.05pm GMT12.05pm GMT
12:0512:05
Andrew Sparrow on Politics Live is covering prime minister’s questions where David Cameron is expected to summarise the result of today’s emergency meeting. There will then be statement from home secretary Theresa May on the UK’s security response. Andrew Sparrow, the Guardian’s political correspondent, is covering prime minister’s questions where David Cameron is expected to summarise the outcome of today’s emergency meeting. There will then be a statement from the home secretary on the UK’s security response.
Related: Cameron and Corbyn at PMQs - Politics liveRelated: Cameron and Corbyn at PMQs - Politics live
Updated
at 12.23pm GMT
12.01pm GMT12.01pm GMT
12:0112:01
Haroon SiddiqueHaroon Siddique
More details are emerging about those missing and injured in the the attacks. More details are emerging about those missing and injured in the attacks.
Two Dutch citizens missingTwo Dutch citizens missing
The Dutch foreign ministry has confirmed that it is searching for two of its nationals who are missing following the explosion at Zaventem airport yesterday, writes Oliver Milne. Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant is reporting that the missing pair are from Maastricht and were travelling through Zaventem on a journey to the United States. The Dutch foreign ministry has confirmed that it is searching for two of its nationals who are missing following the explosion at Zaventem airport, writes Oliver Milne. Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant is reporting that the missing pair are from Maastricht and were travelling through Zaventem on a journey to the US.
Indian technology worker missingIndian technology worker missing
Raghavendra Ganeshan, an Indian national who works in Brussels has been missing since the attacks. His mother Annapoorni Ganeshan told the News Minute that said she spoke to him before he left for work on Tuesday and that he took the metro line that was hit to the office every day. She said: “He told me that he was leaving to work. About an hour later I got a call from my other son, who lives in Germany, saying that there was a blast in Brussels. I checked the news. Initially I only saw it was in the airport. But later there were news flashes that there was a blast in the metro line- Merode to Park station. This is the metro my son uses to commute to [the] office every day. Raghavendra Ganeshan, an Indian national who works in Brussels, has been missing since the attacks. His mother, Annapoorni Ganeshan, told News Minute that she spoke to him before he left for work on Tuesday, andhe took the metro line that was hit to the office every day.
She said: “He told me that he was leaving to work. About an hour later I got a call from my other son, who lives in Germany, saying there was a blast in Brussels. I checked the news. Initially I only saw it was in the airport. But later there were news flashes that there was a blast in the metro line from Merode to Park station. This is the metro my son uses to commute to the office every day.
Ganeshan worked for the technology company Infosys in Brussels.Ganeshan worked for the technology company Infosys in Brussels.
India’s minister of external affairs, Sushma Swaraj, confirmed they are looking for him. India’s minister of external affairs, Sushma Swaraj, confirmed the authorities were looking for him.
We are doing our best to locate Raghavendran Ganesh. /2We are doing our best to locate Raghavendran Ganesh. /2
19 Portugese injured19 Portugese injured
At least 19 Portuguese were injured in the attacks, according to the Wall Street Journal’s Patricia Kowsmann. There is a large community of Portuguese ex-pats in Brussels - 50,000 immigrants, according to Kowsmann, citing government figures. At least 19 Portuguese were injured in the attacks, according to the Patricia Kowsmann at the Wall Street Journal. There is a large community of Portuguese ex-pats in Brussels – 50,000, according to Kowsmann, citing government figures.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.01pm GMT at 12.21pm GMT
11.58am GMT11.58am GMT
11:5811:58
Here is a round-up of the latest key developments:Here is a round-up of the latest key developments:
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.58am GMT at 12.51pm GMT
11.37am GMT11.37am GMT
11:3711:37
Ewen MacAskillEwen MacAskill
The defence secretary has said Britain’s intelligence services are concerned about the prospect of Islamic State militants acquiring nuclear weapons, writes Ewen MacAskill.The defence secretary has said Britain’s intelligence services are concerned about the prospect of Islamic State militants acquiring nuclear weapons, writes Ewen MacAskill.
Michael Fallon was asked if there was a danger of Isis acquiring nuclear weapons. He replied: “Yes, this is a new and emerging threat.”Michael Fallon was asked if there was a danger of Isis acquiring nuclear weapons. He replied: “Yes, this is a new and emerging threat.”
He said it was obviously a concern that a non-state actor with finance and know-how could acquire nuclear weapons.He said it was obviously a concern that a non-state actor with finance and know-how could acquire nuclear weapons.
Fallon made the remarks after giving a speech on Trident at the Policy Exchange thinktank.Fallon made the remarks after giving a speech on Trident at the Policy Exchange thinktank.
Asked about the UK’s response to the attack on Belgium, he said: “We have to immediately double-check our own security arrangements and, of course, offer as much help to the country affected, Belgium.”Asked about the UK’s response to the attack on Belgium, he said: “We have to immediately double-check our own security arrangements and, of course, offer as much help to the country affected, Belgium.”
Ways to help Belgium had been discussed at Cobra yesterday, and again this morning, he added.Ways to help Belgium had been discussed at Cobra yesterday, and again this morning, he added.
The home secretary, Theresa May, is due to make a Commons statement on UK security at 12.30pm.The home secretary, Theresa May, is due to make a Commons statement on UK security at 12.30pm.
Fallon added: “We made it very clear to the Belgian authorities that we are ready to offer any technical assistance they need. It is a small country.”Fallon added: “We made it very clear to the Belgian authorities that we are ready to offer any technical assistance they need. It is a small country.”
The UK government argues that data collected by the surveillance agency GCHQ might be able to help.The UK government argues that data collected by the surveillance agency GCHQ might be able to help.
The UK changed its approach to counter-terrorism after the the 2005 London bombings and could use that experience to help the Belgian intelligence agencies, who have repeatedly complained about being understaffed and underfunded.The UK changed its approach to counter-terrorism after the the 2005 London bombings and could use that experience to help the Belgian intelligence agencies, who have repeatedly complained about being understaffed and underfunded.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.46am GMTat 11.46am GMT
11.27am GMT11.27am GMT
11:2711:27
Belgium’s football match against Portugal has been cancelled for security reasons. Tickets will be refunded in April, the Belgian FA has announced.Belgium’s football match against Portugal has been cancelled for security reasons. Tickets will be refunded in April, the Belgian FA has announced.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.38am GMTat 11.38am GMT
11.24am GMT11.24am GMT
11:2411:24
Laachroui 'not arrested'Laachroui 'not arrested'
Belgian media are now rowing back on earlier reports that Najim Laachraoui was arrested.Belgian media are now rowing back on earlier reports that Najim Laachraoui was arrested.
La Libre Belgique newspaper said another person had been arrested in Anderlecht.La Libre Belgique newspaper said another person had been arrested in Anderlecht.
DH, which first reported the story, also said the man detained in the Anderlecht district had been misidentified, Reuters reports.DH, which first reported the story, also said the man detained in the Anderlecht district had been misidentified, Reuters reports.
Police and prosecutors have been declining all comment but will hold a news conference at noon GMT.Police and prosecutors have been declining all comment but will hold a news conference at noon GMT.
Apologies for the confusion. Laachraoui’s arrest had been reported in multiple Brussels media outlets, citing police sources.Apologies for the confusion. Laachraoui’s arrest had been reported in multiple Brussels media outlets, citing police sources.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.29am GMTat 11.29am GMT
11.21am GMT11.21am GMT
11:2111:21
Police officer in balaclavas have been photographed outside an apartment in Anderlecht. It is not thought to be connected with the reported arrest of the suspect Najim Laachraoui.Police officer in balaclavas have been photographed outside an apartment in Anderlecht. It is not thought to be connected with the reported arrest of the suspect Najim Laachraoui.
BBC Newsnight producer Warwick Harrington said witnesses reported seeing two women being taken away.BBC Newsnight producer Warwick Harrington said witnesses reported seeing two women being taken away.
Brussels attacks: Witness to Anderlecht raid reports two women being taken away by police.Brussels attacks: Witness to Anderlecht raid reports two women being taken away by police.
Earlier he tweeted these images.Earlier he tweeted these images.
Police may have Brussels attacker Najim Laachraoui. Apartment in Anderlecht raided, police removing a vehicle. pic.twitter.com/kOXS8LMm5mPolice may have Brussels attacker Najim Laachraoui. Apartment in Anderlecht raided, police removing a vehicle. pic.twitter.com/kOXS8LMm5m
Brussels attacks: police remove 2 vehicles from outside apartment in Busselenbergstraat, Anderlecht. pic.twitter.com/nsVMSs6s1YBrussels attacks: police remove 2 vehicles from outside apartment in Busselenbergstraat, Anderlecht. pic.twitter.com/nsVMSs6s1Y
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.54am GMTat 11.54am GMT
11.09am GMT11.09am GMT
11:0911:09
Our latest news story wraps up this morning’s main developments on the reports of the arrest of the key suspect and the naming of the suspected suicide bombers.Our latest news story wraps up this morning’s main developments on the reports of the arrest of the key suspect and the naming of the suspected suicide bombers.
Related: Najim Laachraoui: Brussels police reportedly arrest attacks suspectRelated: Najim Laachraoui: Brussels police reportedly arrest attacks suspect
11.05am GMT11.05am GMT
11:0511:05
The city of Brussels has asked the Royal Belgian Football Association to cancel a forthcoming friendly against Portugal.The city of Brussels has asked the Royal Belgian Football Association to cancel a forthcoming friendly against Portugal.
The match was due to be played at the King Baudouin stadium in the city centre on 29 March.The match was due to be played at the King Baudouin stadium in the city centre on 29 March.
The football association has said it will consult the federal government, police and security services before making a decision.The football association has said it will consult the federal government, police and security services before making a decision.
La ville de Bruxelles demande l'annulation de Belgique-Portugal @BelRedDevils https://t.co/s5QL1q0Iii pic.twitter.com/HMpgwKPMP2La ville de Bruxelles demande l'annulation de Belgique-Portugal @BelRedDevils https://t.co/s5QL1q0Iii pic.twitter.com/HMpgwKPMP2
The Belgium national team did not train for a second day after the attacks.The Belgium national team did not train for a second day after the attacks.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.29am GMTat 11.29am GMT
11.03am GMT11.03am GMT
11:0311:03
The minute’s silence was impeccably observed and ended with sustained applause by those who had gathered at the Place de la Bourse. Someone shouted “long live the Belgians”,The minute’s silence was impeccably observed and ended with sustained applause by those who had gathered at the Place de la Bourse. Someone shouted “long live the Belgians”,
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.27am GMT at 12.53pm GMT
10.58am GMT10.58am GMT
10:5810:58
Minute's silenceMinute's silence
Institutions and the public in Brussels are about to observe a minute’s silence in honour of the victims of Tuesday’s attacks.Institutions and the public in Brussels are about to observe a minute’s silence in honour of the victims of Tuesday’s attacks.
12:00 CET Minute of silence for the victims of yesterday's #BrusselsAttacks. Live: https://t.co/P0BIU0PzXA pic.twitter.com/5p1hnMxO0912:00 CET Minute of silence for the victims of yesterday's #BrusselsAttacks. Live: https://t.co/P0BIU0PzXA pic.twitter.com/5p1hnMxO09
A partir de 12h un périmètre de sécurité sera mis en place suite à une minute de silence du Roi, Reine et premier pic.twitter.com/cGHp69sRJxA partir de 12h un périmètre de sécurité sera mis en place suite à une minute de silence du Roi, Reine et premier pic.twitter.com/cGHp69sRJx
Will observe minute of silence today at noon to honor the victims of #Brusselsattacks. #UnitedAgainstTerrorism w/ #Belgium @CharlesMichelWill observe minute of silence today at noon to honor the victims of #Brusselsattacks. #UnitedAgainstTerrorism w/ #Belgium @CharlesMichel
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.00am GMTat 11.00am GMT
10.39am GMT10.39am GMT
10:3910:39
One Briton missing, four injuredOne Briton missing, four injured
Downing Street says it is concerned about a British national who has been missing in Brussels following the attacks.Downing Street says it is concerned about a British national who has been missing in Brussels following the attacks.
It said four Britons had been injured, three of whom were in hospital.It said four Britons had been injured, three of whom were in hospital.
David Dixon, a former British Airways employee from Hartlepool, is believed to have been on a metro train at the time of the attack on Maelbeek station.David Dixon, a former British Airways employee from Hartlepool, is believed to have been on a metro train at the time of the attack on Maelbeek station.
No 10 did not mention Dixon in its statement, which said:No 10 did not mention Dixon in its statement, which said:
“We are concerned about one missing British national and we are in close contact with the Belgian authorities. We are aware of four British nationals who were injured in the attacks – three are being treated in hospital, one has already been discharged. Our embassy staff are working to assist all British nationals affected.“We are concerned about one missing British national and we are in close contact with the Belgian authorities. We are aware of four British nationals who were injured in the attacks – three are being treated in hospital, one has already been discharged. Our embassy staff are working to assist all British nationals affected.
“In terms of travel advice, we continue to advise people to follow the advice of the Belgian authorities. Therefore we are no longer advising against travel to Brussels. British nationals in Belgium should remain alert and vigilant, stay away from crowded places, and follow the instructions of the Belgian authorities.“In terms of travel advice, we continue to advise people to follow the advice of the Belgian authorities. Therefore we are no longer advising against travel to Brussels. British nationals in Belgium should remain alert and vigilant, stay away from crowded places, and follow the instructions of the Belgian authorities.
“Here in the UK, we stepped up the security presence at a number of locations across the country yesterday and we will maintain this in the coming days. The national threat level remains at SEVERE (an attack is highly likely) and the public are advised to be ‘alert but not alarmed’.“Here in the UK, we stepped up the security presence at a number of locations across the country yesterday and we will maintain this in the coming days. The national threat level remains at SEVERE (an attack is highly likely) and the public are advised to be ‘alert but not alarmed’.
“Government departments will be observing a minutes silence at 11am UK time. The prime minister will update MPs at the start of PMQs, followed by an oral statement from the home secretary later this afternoon setting out the government’s response to the attacks.”“Government departments will be observing a minutes silence at 11am UK time. The prime minister will update MPs at the start of PMQs, followed by an oral statement from the home secretary later this afternoon setting out the government’s response to the attacks.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.03am GMTat 11.03am GMT