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Brussels attacks: Belgian police hunt suspect captured on CCTV – live Brussels attacks: Belgian police hunt suspect captured on CCTV – live
(35 minutes later)
1.27pm GMT
13:27
The bells of Belgium’s oldest university rang out to the tune of John Lennon’s Imagine last night, writes Oliver Milne.
“Hope must survive”, tweeted the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, sharing a short video of it’s library bells playing the anthem for global peace and understanding.
You can watch the full video here.
1.20pm GMT
13:20
Haroon Siddique
The Saint Louis University in Brussels says one of its students was a victim of the attacks, writes Haroon Siddique.
In a Facebook post, it said:
“I am very sad to inform you of the death of Leopold Hecht.”
It described him as “one of the unfortunate victims of the barbarous acts perpetrated on Tuesday, March 22 at the Maelbeek metro station”, adding:
“There are no words to describe our dismay at the news. All our thoughts are with his family and relatives.”
It said Hecht was a 20-year-old law student.
Leopold Hecht, Saint-Louis University Student, Killed At Maalbeek Station ISIS Bombing https://t.co/JwZBsWiD2X pic.twitter.com/DRAezEjWEx
12.38pm GMT12.38pm GMT
12:3812:38
Here’s a summary of the main points from the press conference given by the Belgian federal prosecutor, Frederic Van Leeuw, writes Oliver Milne.Here’s a summary of the main points from the press conference given by the Belgian federal prosecutor, Frederic Van Leeuw, writes Oliver Milne.
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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.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.Frederic van Leeuw also named Belgian national Khalid el-Bakraoui as the suspected suicide bomber at Maelbeek metro station.
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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.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.
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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.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 also confirmed that a third suspect, Najim Laachraoui, was still on the run.Leeuw also confirmed that a third suspect, Najim Laachraoui, was still on the run.
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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 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 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 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.
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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 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.
Juncker 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
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12.06pm GMT12.06pm GMT
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The European commission’s agriculture department 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, 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.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.
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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.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
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Haroon SiddiqueHaroon Siddique
More details are emerging about those missing and injured in 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, 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.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 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.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.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 the authorities were 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 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.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.
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11.58am GMT
11:58
Here is a round-up of the latest key developments:
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11.37am GMT
11:37
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.”
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.
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.
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.”
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.
Updated
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11.27am GMT
11:27
Belgium’s football match against Portugal has been cancelled for security reasons. Tickets will be refunded in April, the Belgian FA has announced.
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at 11.38am GMT
11.24am GMT
11:24
Laachroui 'not 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.
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.
Apologies for the confusion. Laachraoui’s arrest had been reported in multiple Brussels media outlets, citing police sources.
Updated
at 11.29am GMT
11.21am GMT
11:21
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.
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.
Earlier he tweeted these images.
Police 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/nsVMSs6s1Y
Updated
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11.09am GMT
11:09
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.
Related: Najim Laachraoui: Brussels police reportedly arrest attacks suspect
11.05am GMT
11:05
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 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/HMpgwKPMP2
The Belgium national team did not train for a second day after the attacks.
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11.03am GMT
11:03
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”,
Updated
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10.58am GMT
10:58
Minute'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.
12:00 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/cGHp69sRJx
Will observe minute of silence today at noon to honor the victims of #Brusselsattacks. #UnitedAgainstTerrorism w/ #Belgium @CharlesMichel
Updated
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10.39am GMT
10:39
One Briton missing, four injured
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.
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:
“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.
“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.”
Updated
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