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Brussels attacks: police hunt bombing suspect captured on CCTV – live Brussels attacks: police hunt bombing suspect captured on CCTV – live
(35 minutes later)
3.27pm GMT
15:27
Latest summary
Matthew Weaver
Here is a round-up of the latest key developments:
Handing over the liveblog to Raya Jalabi in New York.
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Here’s a video explainer on the suspected attackers.Here’s a video explainer on the suspected attackers.
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An American teenager who was wounded in the Brussels terror attacks had previously escaped injury in the Paris and Boston bombings.An American teenager who was wounded in the Brussels terror attacks had previously escaped injury in the Paris and Boston bombings.
Chad and Kimberly Wells said on Wednesday it was a “miracle” their son, Mason, 19, survived the deadly attacks in Belgium, saying he was just metres from where a bomb exploded at Zaventem airport.Chad and Kimberly Wells said on Wednesday it was a “miracle” their son, Mason, 19, survived the deadly attacks in Belgium, saying he was just metres from where a bomb exploded at Zaventem airport.
Wells said his son escaped with minor burns and was in “good spirits”. It has also emerged that Mason survived the Boston marathon explosion in 2013 and last year’s attacks in Paris.Wells said his son escaped with minor burns and was in “good spirits”. It has also emerged that Mason survived the Boston marathon explosion in 2013 and last year’s attacks in Paris.
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Here’s video of the minute’s silence observed across Brussels. Large crowds gathered outside the European commission building to remember the victims, while lawmakers and Belgian royals gathered inside to do the same.Here’s video of the minute’s silence observed across Brussels. Large crowds gathered outside the European commission building to remember the victims, while lawmakers and Belgian royals gathered inside to do the same.
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The British embassy in Brussels has opened a digital book of condolences on Facebook, writes Oliver Milne. The British embassy in Brussels has opened a book of condolences on Facebook, writes Oliver Milne.
Introducing the book, Britain’s ambassador to Belgium Alison Rose, wrote: “The UK stands in solidarity with Belgium at this difficult time. Our thoughts are with those affected by the attacks. We invite anyone who wishes to send a message of condolence to use this virtual book. Thank you.” Introducing the digital book, Britain’s ambassador to Belgium, Alison Rose, wrote: “The UK stands in solidarity with Belgium at this difficult time. Our thoughts are with those affected by the attacks. We invite anyone who wishes to send a message of condolence to use this virtual book. Thank you.”
Those wishing to sign the book, can do so here. Those wishing to sign it, can do so here.
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The French prime minister has again urged the European parliament to approve passenger name records (PNR), insisting the proposed system would help intercept terrorist suspects.The French prime minister has again urged the European parliament to approve passenger name records (PNR), insisting the proposed system would help intercept terrorist suspects.
Speaking in Brussels, Manuel Valls said: “We would have had a good chance to intercept a number of individuals, if PNR had existed. It protects individual liberty but it can also allow us to track and catch terrorists. We need this tool in order to keep a closer eye on those who need to be tracked. The European parliament has to show that it is fully committed to combatting terrorism.”Speaking in Brussels, Manuel Valls said: “We would have had a good chance to intercept a number of individuals, if PNR had existed. It protects individual liberty but it can also allow us to track and catch terrorists. We need this tool in order to keep a closer eye on those who need to be tracked. The European parliament has to show that it is fully committed to combatting terrorism.”
Valls also called for “massive” investment in security systems. “Let’s not forget there are young people who are leaving for Syria to fight and they are coming back and fighting their own fellow countrymen and women. There are lots of people in France who are being won over by Salafism and radical Islamism, things that have led to events in Paris, Brussels and elsewhere,” he said.Valls also called for “massive” investment in security systems. “Let’s not forget there are young people who are leaving for Syria to fight and they are coming back and fighting their own fellow countrymen and women. There are lots of people in France who are being won over by Salafism and radical Islamism, things that have led to events in Paris, Brussels and elsewhere,” he said.
“Young people need to keep a clear head. The best way of fighting this ideology of death is through life, living through the basis of our values such as tolerance.”“Young people need to keep a clear head. The best way of fighting this ideology of death is through life, living through the basis of our values such as tolerance.”
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Haroon SiddiqueHaroon Siddique
A third victim of the attacks has been identified, writes Haroon Siddique.A third victim of the attacks has been identified, writes Haroon Siddique.
The Federation of Wallonia-Brussels announced on Facebook that one of its employees, Olivier Delespesse was killed in the attack on Maelbeek metro.The Federation of Wallonia-Brussels announced on Facebook that one of its employees, Olivier Delespesse was killed in the attack on Maelbeek metro.
“Our thoughts go out to his family,” it said. His colleague Anne Hellemans had previously posted an appeal for information regarding his whereabouts on Facebook.“Our thoughts go out to his family,” it said. His colleague Anne Hellemans had previously posted an appeal for information regarding his whereabouts on Facebook.
She later wrote: “The news that we have received concerning Olivier Delespesse is bad... He died in the bombing of the metro yesterday.”She later wrote: “The news that we have received concerning Olivier Delespesse is bad... He died in the bombing of the metro yesterday.”
Disparition: Olivier DELESPESSE, passé par Maelbeek et n'est jamais arriver à son travail. #AttentatsdeBruxelles pic.twitter.com/Q4zFkeUpRNDisparition: Olivier DELESPESSE, passé par Maelbeek et n'est jamais arriver à son travail. #AttentatsdeBruxelles pic.twitter.com/Q4zFkeUpRN
Two other victims have been named as Belgium law student Leopold Hecht and Peruvian Adelma Tapia Ruiz.Two other victims have been named as Belgium law student Leopold Hecht and Peruvian Adelma Tapia Ruiz.
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The king and queen of Belgium visited Zaventem airport this afternoon to pay their tributes to the emergency services who responded to yesterday’s attacks, writes Oliver Milne.The king and queen of Belgium visited Zaventem airport this afternoon to pay their tributes to the emergency services who responded to yesterday’s attacks, writes Oliver Milne.
During the visit, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde expressed their gratitude to firefighters and the airport staff.During the visit, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde expressed their gratitude to firefighters and the airport staff.
This afternoon the royal couple will visit a nearby military hospital which treated some of the first victims of yesterday’s suicide bombings.This afternoon the royal couple will visit a nearby military hospital which treated some of the first victims of yesterday’s suicide bombings.
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Zaventem airport remains closed while police continue to investigate. A Twitter account managed by the airport said it was unclear when it would reopen.Zaventem airport remains closed while police continue to investigate. A Twitter account managed by the airport said it was unclear when it would reopen.
Investigation still ongoing. Until we have access to the building & can assess damage, it remains unclear when we can resume operations.Investigation still ongoing. Until we have access to the building & can assess damage, it remains unclear when we can resume operations.
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The French prime minister, Manuel Valls, is giving a press conference in Brussels with the European commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker.The French prime minister, Manuel Valls, is giving a press conference in Brussels with the European commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker.
Live now: press conference by @JunckerEU & PM of France @manuelvalls. https://t.co/cAWAOVeEpe #BrusselsAttacks pic.twitter.com/2IRB2hrnpELive now: press conference by @JunckerEU & PM of France @manuelvalls. https://t.co/cAWAOVeEpe #BrusselsAttacks pic.twitter.com/2IRB2hrnpE
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Three members of staff at the European commission were injured in the attacks, Politico reports.Three members of staff at the European commission were injured in the attacks, Politico reports.
Commission vice-president Kristalina Georgieva confirmed the officials were among the victims of the attacks, but did not provide details about the circumstances or the extent of their injuries.Commission vice-president Kristalina Georgieva confirmed the officials were among the victims of the attacks, but did not provide details about the circumstances or the extent of their injuries.
“The commission’s staff is ready to contribute to the fight in Europe against what has become so frequently an enormous stress for our people,” said Georgieva, who handles human resources and administration for the EU’s executive body.“The commission’s staff is ready to contribute to the fight in Europe against what has become so frequently an enormous stress for our people,” said Georgieva, who handles human resources and administration for the EU’s executive body.
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Reuters has a few more details from the press conference held by the federal prosecutor, Frederic Van Leeuw.Reuters has a few more details from the press conference held by the federal prosecutor, Frederic Van Leeuw.
Two brothers carried out suicide bombings at Brussels airport and on the metro on Tuesday, adding that airport bomber Ibrahim el-Bakraoui had left a will on a computer.Two brothers carried out suicide bombings at Brussels airport and on the metro on Tuesday, adding that airport bomber Ibrahim el-Bakraoui had left a will on a computer.
His brother Khalid blew himself up on a carriage of the Brussels metro at Maelbeek station, Leeuw said. Two other men captured on CCTV at the airport with Ibrahim had yet to be identified, he said.His brother Khalid blew himself up on a carriage of the Brussels metro at Maelbeek station, Leeuw said. Two other men captured on CCTV at the airport with Ibrahim had yet to be identified, he said.
The first bomb at the airport went off near desk 11 at 7.58am (6.58am GMT) and the second followed 9 seconds later near desk 2 of the departure hall, Leeuw said.The first bomb at the airport went off near desk 11 at 7.58am (6.58am GMT) and the second followed 9 seconds later near desk 2 of the departure hall, Leeuw said.
The prosecutor quoted Ibrahim’s will as saying: “Always on the run, not knowing what to do any more, being looked for everywhere, not being safe any longer and that if he waits around any longer he risks ending up next to the person in a cell.”The prosecutor quoted Ibrahim’s will as saying: “Always on the run, not knowing what to do any more, being looked for everywhere, not being safe any longer and that if he waits around any longer he risks ending up next to the person in a cell.”
The second airport suicide bomber has not been identified, while a third man, who left the airport before the explosions, is still being hunted, Van Leeuw said.The second airport suicide bomber has not been identified, while a third man, who left the airport before the explosions, is still being hunted, Van Leeuw said.
During a raid in the Brussels district of Schaerbeek on Tuesday night, police found 15kg of explosives, 150 litres of acetone, 30 litres of oxygenated water, detonators, a suitcase filled with screws and nails as well as materials, such as plastic boxes, needed to pack the explosives.During a raid in the Brussels district of Schaerbeek on Tuesday night, police found 15kg of explosives, 150 litres of acetone, 30 litres of oxygenated water, detonators, a suitcase filled with screws and nails as well as materials, such as plastic boxes, needed to pack the explosives.
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The bells of Belgium’s oldest university rang out to the tune of John Lennon’s Imagine last night, writes Oliver Milne.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 its library bells playing the anthem for peace.“Hope must survive”, tweeted the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, sharing a short video of its library bells playing the anthem for peace.
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