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Brussels attack: police raid homes in search for airport bomb suspect – live Brussels attacks: suicide bombers 'named as el-Bakraoui brothers' – live updates
(35 minutes later)
7.35am GMT
07:35
What we know so far
Claire Phipps
Here is a round-up of the latest key developments:
Related: First Brussels bombings victims named as stories of survival emerge
7.24am GMT
07:24
Angelique Chrisafis
The Belgian state broadcaster RTBF is reporting that two of the suspected terrorist suicide-bombers at Brussels airport were Khalid and Ibrahim el-Bakraoui.
The Belgian el-Bakraoui brothers were well-known to the police as longstanding criminals in the Belgian capital and more recently it emerged they had clear links to November’s Paris attacks.
This connection to the Paris attacks and to recent police raids in Brussels, in which some suspects escaped from police, is a very significant development. If the Brussels bombers prove to be part of the same cell as the Paris attackers, this will raise serious questions about potential police and intelligence failings.
The el-Bakraoui brothers are from Brussels and have a long history in organised crime in Belgium. They were among the suspects on the run and being hunted by Belgian police since the police raids of recent days.
One of the brothers had rented the flat in Forest, south west Brussels which was raided by police last Tuesday, exactly a week before the Brussels attacks, and where Salah Abdeslam, the Paris suspect had been present. In that Forest raid, heavy weapons and an Islamic State flag were found and one member of the Paris attacks cell, an Algerian Mohamed Belkaïd, was shot by a police sniper.
One of the el-Bakraoui brothers is also known to have rented one of the hideouts of the Paris jihadist team, in Charleroi in Belgium, where two of the attackers met before heading to Paris in November to carry out the attacks that killed 130 people: Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the ringleader, and Bilal Hadfi, one of the Stade de France suicide bombers.
One of the el-Bakraoui brothers is also believed to have provided ammunition and weapons for the Paris attacks in which gunmen opened fire on bars and at a rock concert at the Bataclan, RTBF reported.
Updated
at 7.28am GMT
7.11am GMT
07:11
Airport suicide bombers identified
Belgium’s state broadcaster RTBF has named Khalid and Ibrahim el-Bakraoui as the two men who detonated suitcase bombs, killing themselves and several others, at Zaventem airport.
The brothers were already being sought by police, suspected of hiring properties as hideouts for the Paris terrorist team.
The Guardian cannot immediately verify this identification.
7.04am GMT7.04am GMT
07:0407:04
Soldiers have been checking people’s bags as they entered Brussels’ metro network this morning, Press Association reports.Soldiers have been checking people’s bags as they entered Brussels’ metro network this morning, Press Association reports.
The public transport network is partially reopening today, although some stations remain closed.The public transport network is partially reopening today, although some stations remain closed.
Every person was asked to open their bags by armed troops before they were allowed to descend the steps at a station at de Brouckère.Every person was asked to open their bags by armed troops before they were allowed to descend the steps at a station at de Brouckère.
6.54am GMT6.54am GMT
06:5406:54
There are reports that France’s Toulouse airport is currently being evacuated. There are no further details at this stage, but I’ll bring you any updates here.There are reports that France’s Toulouse airport is currently being evacuated. There are no further details at this stage, but I’ll bring you any updates here.
6.44am GMT6.44am GMT
06:4406:44
Australian PM: Europe 'allowed security to slip'Australian PM: Europe 'allowed security to slip'
Michael SafiMichael Safi
The Australian prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has criticised European security arrangements, arguing they were allowed to “slip” before Tuesday’s attacks in Belgium.The Australian prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has criticised European security arrangements, arguing they were allowed to “slip” before Tuesday’s attacks in Belgium.
Turnbull had been asked whether an terrorist act similar to that in Brussels could occur in Australia. He told the ABC:Turnbull had been asked whether an terrorist act similar to that in Brussels could occur in Australia. He told the ABC:
You cannot guarantee that there will be no terrorist incident.You cannot guarantee that there will be no terrorist incident.
But I can assure Australians that our security system, our border protection, our domestic security arrangements are much stronger than they are in Europe, where regrettably they allowed security to slip.But I can assure Australians that our security system, our border protection, our domestic security arrangements are much stronger than they are in Europe, where regrettably they allowed security to slip.
Turnbull said vulnerabilities in European security were “not unrelated to the problems they’ve been having in recent times”. And he singled out the Schengen agreement, saying:Turnbull said vulnerabilities in European security were “not unrelated to the problems they’ve been having in recent times”. And he singled out the Schengen agreement, saying:
People are able to freely travel across borders within Europe – that poses security challenges, coupled with clearly very porous external borders as we’ve seen plenty of evidence of that.People are able to freely travel across borders within Europe – that poses security challenges, coupled with clearly very porous external borders as we’ve seen plenty of evidence of that.
My point really was to say that those arrangements have security consequences.My point really was to say that those arrangements have security consequences.
The opposition leader, Labor’s Bill Shorten, said it was too soon after the attacks for “the prime minister [to] be telling the Belgians what they did wrong”.The opposition leader, Labor’s Bill Shorten, said it was too soon after the attacks for “the prime minister [to] be telling the Belgians what they did wrong”.
Australia’s official threat level currently indicates a terrorist attack is “probable”.Australia’s official threat level currently indicates a terrorist attack is “probable”.
Related: Belgium terror attacks: Malcolm Turnbull says Europe 'allowed security to slip'Related: Belgium terror attacks: Malcolm Turnbull says Europe 'allowed security to slip'
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.52am GMTat 6.52am GMT
6.35am GMT6.35am GMT
06:3506:35
If you’re waking up in Europe now, here’s a reading list to bring you up to date on the latest developments:If you’re waking up in Europe now, here’s a reading list to bring you up to date on the latest developments:
And for more in-depth reading:And for more in-depth reading:
6.26am GMT6.26am GMT
06:2606:26
Roads around the site of the explosion at Maelbeek metro station remain closed and transport authorities are asking Brussels residents to avoid the area:Roads around the site of the explosion at Maelbeek metro station remain closed and transport authorities are asking Brussels residents to avoid the area:
RAPPELPérimètre de sécurité dans la #ruedelaloi est encore d'application et donc pas encore accessible #BrusselsAttacks #Bruxelles #traficRAPPELPérimètre de sécurité dans la #ruedelaloi est encore d'application et donc pas encore accessible #BrusselsAttacks #Bruxelles #trafic
6.10am GMT6.10am GMT
06:1006:10
The VTM TV channel in Brussels reports that a taxi driver who took the three suspects to the airport later led police to a house in Schaerbeek, in the north of Brussels, that was raided on Tuesday night – a raid that officials said yielded an explosive device, as-yet unidentified chemicals and an Islamic State flag.The VTM TV channel in Brussels reports that a taxi driver who took the three suspects to the airport later led police to a house in Schaerbeek, in the north of Brussels, that was raided on Tuesday night – a raid that officials said yielded an explosive device, as-yet unidentified chemicals and an Islamic State flag.
VTM reports:VTM reports:
The trio yesterday morning ordered a large taxi for three persons and five pieces of luggage.The trio yesterday morning ordered a large taxi for three persons and five pieces of luggage.
When the taxi arrived, it turned out to be too small for the luggage. The three men were not at all happy with it.When the taxi arrived, it turned out to be too small for the luggage. The three men were not at all happy with it.
After the driver had dropped off the men and he heard about the attack, he realised the link and he went to the police.After the driver had dropped off the men and he heard about the attack, he realised the link and he went to the police.
Other reports say at least one suitcase that would not fit into the taxi was left behind and was found later by police searching the property.Other reports say at least one suitcase that would not fit into the taxi was left behind and was found later by police searching the property.
The taxi driver reportedly said that the three men would not let him help them to load the suitcases into the vehicle.The taxi driver reportedly said that the three men would not let him help them to load the suitcases into the vehicle.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.28am GMTat 6.28am GMT
6.03am GMT6.03am GMT
06:0306:03
No flights in or out of Brussels todayNo flights in or out of Brussels today
Brussels airport says there will be no flights into or out of Zaventem airport on Wednesday.Brussels airport says there will be no flights into or out of Zaventem airport on Wednesday.
As soon as we have access to the terminal building, we can assess the damage. Later today we will assess when operations can be resumed.As soon as we have access to the terminal building, we can assess the damage. Later today we will assess when operations can be resumed.
Passengers are advised to contact their airline for further information.Passengers are advised to contact their airline for further information.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.03am GMTat 6.03am GMT
5.45am GMT5.45am GMT
05:4505:45
Belgium’s interior minister, Jan Jambon, says the investigation into the airport attacks is focusing on the three men pictured pushing suitcases on trolleys through the departure hall – and particularly a man in a light-coloured coat and a hat who is believed to have fled the airport after his bomb failed to detonate:Belgium’s interior minister, Jan Jambon, says the investigation into the airport attacks is focusing on the three men pictured pushing suitcases on trolleys through the departure hall – and particularly a man in a light-coloured coat and a hat who is believed to have fled the airport after his bomb failed to detonate:
Two of them killed themselves, suicide bombers, and the third left a bomb in the airport but it didn’t explode, lucky. We are now looking for this guy.Two of them killed themselves, suicide bombers, and the third left a bomb in the airport but it didn’t explode, lucky. We are now looking for this guy.
Belgian police have issued further images of the suspect, asking: “Do you recognise this man?”Belgian police have issued further images of the suspect, asking: “Do you recognise this man?”
5.31am GMT5.31am GMT
05:3105:31
Helen DavidsonHelen Davidson
Peruvian Adelma Tapia Ruiz, 36, was the first publicly confirmed death from the attack. Ruiz, who lived in Brussels, was at the airport to see off relatives of her Belgian husband, Christopher Delcambe, who was reportedly injured.Peruvian Adelma Tapia Ruiz, 36, was the first publicly confirmed death from the attack. Ruiz, who lived in Brussels, was at the airport to see off relatives of her Belgian husband, Christopher Delcambe, who was reportedly injured.
Ruiz’s brother, Fernando Tapia Coral, said in an interview that the couple’s twin four-year-old daughters went outside the gate area to play shortly before the explosion and Delcambe followed them. He was unable to find Tapia Ruiz after the blast.Ruiz’s brother, Fernando Tapia Coral, said in an interview that the couple’s twin four-year-old daughters went outside the gate area to play shortly before the explosion and Delcambe followed them. He was unable to find Tapia Ruiz after the blast.
Tapia Coral confirmed his sister’s death on Facebook, saying:Tapia Coral confirmed his sister’s death on Facebook, saying:
This tragedy today touched the doors of my family this morning in the Brussels airport, when my sister Adelma Tapia died in the terrorist attack and was not able to survive this jihadist attack that we’ll never understand.This tragedy today touched the doors of my family this morning in the Brussels airport, when my sister Adelma Tapia died in the terrorist attack and was not able to survive this jihadist attack that we’ll never understand.
5.20am GMT5.20am GMT
05:2005:20
Wednesday’s newspaper front pages around the world are, unsurprisingly, dominated by the Brussels attacks. You can see several of them here:Wednesday’s newspaper front pages around the world are, unsurprisingly, dominated by the Brussels attacks. You can see several of them here:
Related: Brussels airport and metro attacked: front pages around the world – in picturesRelated: Brussels airport and metro attacked: front pages around the world – in pictures
4.58am GMT4.58am GMT
04:5804:58
Opening summaryOpening summary
Claire PhippsClaire Phipps
Welcome to continuing coverage of the terror attacks in Brussels and the police search for a suspect believed to have fled Zaventem airport, scene of the first explosions.Welcome to continuing coverage of the terror attacks in Brussels and the police search for a suspect believed to have fled Zaventem airport, scene of the first explosions.
Here is what we now know, as Belgium awakes to a day of mourning.Here is what we now know, as Belgium awakes to a day of mourning.
The victimsThe victims
Related: Brussels bombings: first victims named as stories of survival emergeRelated: Brussels bombings: first victims named as stories of survival emerge
The suspectsThe suspects
The investigationThe investigation
Related: Brussels police carry out raids in manhunt for suspected bomberRelated: Brussels police carry out raids in manhunt for suspected bomber
The global responseThe global response
Related: UN says bombings in Brussels show need to 'end fires of war' in SyriaRelated: UN says bombings in Brussels show need to 'end fires of war' in Syria
The practicalitiesThe practicalities
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.00am GMTat 6.00am GMT