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Brussels attacks suspect Najim Laachraoui reportedly arrested – live | |
(35 minutes later) | |
10.25am GMT | |
10:25 | |
Other media outlets in Belgium are independently reporting the arrest of Najim Laachraoui in Anderlecht, Oliver Milne reports. | |
Flemish-speaking journalist Michael Sephilha reported the added detail that the suspect had been arrested in a pizza restaurant. | |
Laachraoui gevat in pizzeria, Abdeslam na grte pizza-bestelling. IS-terroristen zijn blijkbaar pizza-liefhebbers #BrusselsAttacks #junkfood | |
L’Echo is also reporting Laachraoui’s arrest, along with radio stations RTL and Nieuws+. | |
BREAKING Najim #Laachraoui arrested in #anderlecht CONFIRMED https://t.co/3Hui8ehtlN pic.twitter.com/otRnekbqvy | |
The state broadcaster RTBF said there had been an arrest in Anderlecht in connection with the attacks, but it could not confirm whether Laachraoui was the suspect. | |
Updated | |
at 10.30am GMT | |
10.14am GMT | |
10:14 | |
A minute’s silence will be held in Brussels at noon (1100 GMT) as a tribute to the victims. | |
We’ll observe a minute of silence at noon today to honour the victimes of yeterday’s attacks. #BrusselsAttacks pic.twitter.com/NT9kfhOFJ6 | |
Updated | |
at 10.15am GMT | |
9.57am GMT | 9.57am GMT |
09:57 | 09:57 |
'Suspect arrested' | 'Suspect arrested' |
The main surviving suspect in the attacks, Najim Laachraoui, has been arrested in the south-west Brussels suburb of Anderlecht, according to Belgian media. | |
#NajimLaachraoui arrêté à Anderlecht ! https://t.co/Q805GZ4cjf #BrusselsAttacks pic.twitter.com/2tYK0x7W9I | #NajimLaachraoui arrêté à Anderlecht ! https://t.co/Q805GZ4cjf #BrusselsAttacks pic.twitter.com/2tYK0x7W9I |
So far only Dernière Heure is reporting the arrest. The DH magazine is considered the closest thing Belgian has to a tabloid newspaper. | |
Updated | Updated |
at 10.25am GMT | |
9.56am GMT | 9.56am GMT |
09:56 | 09:56 |
Angelique Chrisafis in Brussels and Jon Henley in London have more on Khalid and Ibrahim el-Bakraoui. | Angelique Chrisafis in Brussels and Jon Henley in London have more on Khalid and Ibrahim el-Bakraoui. |
Citing sources close to the investigation, the broadcaster RTBF said in an unconfirmed report that Ibrahim el-Bakraoui detonated one of two devices that killed himself and at least 11 others at Zaventem airport close to the Belgian capital. More than 90 other people were injured. | Citing sources close to the investigation, the broadcaster RTBF said in an unconfirmed report that Ibrahim el-Bakraoui detonated one of two devices that killed himself and at least 11 others at Zaventem airport close to the Belgian capital. More than 90 other people were injured. |
RTBF says Khalid el-Bakraoui was responsible for a third explosion in a metro carriage at Maelbeek station on the rue de la Loi, about 250 metres from the offices of the European commission. At least 14 people died in that attack, and more than 130 were wounded. | RTBF says Khalid el-Bakraoui was responsible for a third explosion in a metro carriage at Maelbeek station on the rue de la Loi, about 250 metres from the offices of the European commission. At least 14 people died in that attack, and more than 130 were wounded. |
On Tuesday Belgian police appealed for information about three men captured on CCTV camera wheeling loaded baggage trolleys through Zaventem airport. Initial reports on Wednesday morning identified two of the men, dressed in black, as the el-Bakraoui brothers, and the third as 24-year-old Najim Laachraoui. | On Tuesday Belgian police appealed for information about three men captured on CCTV camera wheeling loaded baggage trolleys through Zaventem airport. Initial reports on Wednesday morning identified two of the men, dressed in black, as the el-Bakraoui brothers, and the third as 24-year-old Najim Laachraoui. |
However, the latest RTBF report only places Ibrahim el-Bakraoui at the airport, raising questions about the identity of a possible fourth attackers. | However, the latest RTBF report only places Ibrahim el-Bakraoui at the airport, raising questions about the identity of a possible fourth attackers. |
The two el-Bakraoui brothers, both Belgian nationals, were well-known to police as longstanding criminals in the Belgian capital. More recently, it emerged that they had clear links to the Paris attacks last November that killed 130 people. | |
Related: Two Brussels suicide bombers 'named as el-Bakraoui brothers' | Related: Two Brussels suicide bombers 'named as el-Bakraoui brothers' |
Updated | |
at 10.00am GMT | |
9.52am GMT | 9.52am GMT |
09:52 | 09:52 |
A senior British counter-terrorism police officer has condemned Donald Trump’s claim that British Muslims are not reporting extremists in their communities to police. | A senior British counter-terrorism police officer has condemned Donald Trump’s claim that British Muslims are not reporting extremists in their communities to police. |
The deputy assistant commissioner, Neil Basu, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that Trump’s comments were wrong and could spark hate crimes. | The deputy assistant commissioner, Neil Basu, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that Trump’s comments were wrong and could spark hate crimes. |
He said: “If we demonise one section of the community, that is the worst thing we can do. We are absolutely playing into the terrorists’ hands of making people feel hate.” | He said: “If we demonise one section of the community, that is the worst thing we can do. We are absolutely playing into the terrorists’ hands of making people feel hate.” |
Basu admitted British police had to do more to encourage Muslims and other Britons to report suspicious activity. | Basu admitted British police had to do more to encourage Muslims and other Britons to report suspicious activity. |
Updated | Updated |
at 9.56am GMT | at 9.56am GMT |
9.47am GMT | 9.47am GMT |
09:47 | 09:47 |
Arthur Neslen | Arthur Neslen |
The health minister, Maggie De Block, said on VRT radio this morning that the death toll for both attacks was at least 31 but that figure was likely to rise. | The health minister, Maggie De Block, said on VRT radio this morning that the death toll for both attacks was at least 31 but that figure was likely to rise. |
At least 20 people were killed in the attack on the metro; 11 were killed at the airport. | At least 20 people were killed in the attack on the metro; 11 were killed at the airport. |
Associated Press is reporting 34 dead on the basis of a source in the crisis centre. | Associated Press is reporting 34 dead on the basis of a source in the crisis centre. |
Updated | Updated |
at 9.53am GMT | at 9.53am GMT |
9.36am GMT | 9.36am GMT |
09:36 | 09:36 |
The Belgium broadcaster RTBF says one of the el-Bakraoui brothers is suspected of carrying out the suicide bombing at Maelbeek metro station, and not the airport bombing as previously reported. | The Belgium broadcaster RTBF says one of the el-Bakraoui brothers is suspected of carrying out the suicide bombing at Maelbeek metro station, and not the airport bombing as previously reported. |
It said Ibrahim el-Bakraoui is suspected of carrying out a suicide attack at the airport, but his brother Khalid carried out the metro attack. | It said Ibrahim el-Bakraoui is suspected of carrying out a suicide attack at the airport, but his brother Khalid carried out the metro attack. |
If confirmed this would complicate things. If one of the airport suspects was Ibrahim el-Bakraoui and another was Najim Laachraou, who was the third bomber identified in the CCTV footage? | If confirmed this would complicate things. If one of the airport suspects was Ibrahim el-Bakraoui and another was Najim Laachraou, who was the third bomber identified in the CCTV footage? |
It is conceivable that Khalid el-Bakraoui was involved in the attack at the airport, which occurred around 8am, and then travelled to Maelbeek station, which was attacked at 9.11am. | It is conceivable that Khalid el-Bakraoui was involved in the attack at the airport, which occurred around 8am, and then travelled to Maelbeek station, which was attacked at 9.11am. |
Federal prosecutors are due to provide further information this morning. | Federal prosecutors are due to provide further information this morning. |
Updated | Updated |
at 9.49am GMT | at 9.49am GMT |
9.25am GMT | 9.25am GMT |
09:25 | 09:25 |
The French prime minister has said the Brussels attacks underline the need for the European parliament to approve a passenger name record (PNR). | The French prime minister has said the Brussels attacks underline the need for the European parliament to approve a passenger name record (PNR). |
Associated Press quoted Manuel Valls as saying: “It is urgent to adopt the European PNR. The European parliament has waited too long to adopt this text. It must examine and adopt it in April, it is time.” | Associated Press quoted Manuel Valls as saying: “It is urgent to adopt the European PNR. The European parliament has waited too long to adopt this text. It must examine and adopt it in April, it is time.” |
Valls is going to Brussels today and says he will express his “full solidarity” with Belgium’s people. | Valls is going to Brussels today and says he will express his “full solidarity” with Belgium’s people. |
He is due to give a press conference at 2pm local time with the European commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker. | He is due to give a press conference at 2pm local time with the European commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker. |
Updated | Updated |
at 9.41am GMT | at 9.41am GMT |
9.18am GMT | 9.18am GMT |
09:18 | 09:18 |
David Cameron has finished chairing a second meeting of the government’s emergency committee. He will update the Commons during prime minister’s questions. | David Cameron has finished chairing a second meeting of the government’s emergency committee. He will update the Commons during prime minister’s questions. |
I have just chaired another COBRA meeting on the Brussels terror attacks. I will update the House of Commons at noon. | I have just chaired another COBRA meeting on the Brussels terror attacks. I will update the House of Commons at noon. |
Updated | Updated |
at 9.30am GMT | at 9.30am GMT |
9.02am GMT | 9.02am GMT |
09:02 | 09:02 |
Eurostar train services to Brussels have resumed. | Eurostar train services to Brussels have resumed. |
We're running a normal service on our Brussels route. If you're travelling today, please allow extra time to check in. | We're running a normal service on our Brussels route. If you're travelling today, please allow extra time to check in. |
Meanwhile, life in Brussels is “getting back to normal”, according to the UK’s EU commissioner, Lord Hill of Oareford, PA reports. | Meanwhile, life in Brussels is “getting back to normal”, according to the UK’s EU commissioner, Lord Hill of Oareford, PA reports. |
He was speaking before a meeting of European commissioners to discuss the response to the terrorist attacks. | He was speaking before a meeting of European commissioners to discuss the response to the terrorist attacks. |
Interviewed on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he played down suggestions that the attacks would lead to changes to the EU’s Schengen system of borderless travel. | Interviewed on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he played down suggestions that the attacks would lead to changes to the EU’s Schengen system of borderless travel. |
But he conceded that there were questions about how the Schengen system was operating. Hill said: “What we need to have first of all is co-operation between member states on this.” | But he conceded that there were questions about how the Schengen system was operating. Hill said: “What we need to have first of all is co-operation between member states on this.” |
He said the first he heard of the bomb only hundreds of yards from his office was via news reports. Fellow workers, who were already digesting the news of the earlier attack on the airport, went to the office windows to see “a plume of smoke” rising from Maalbeek station, he said. | He said the first he heard of the bomb only hundreds of yards from his office was via news reports. Fellow workers, who were already digesting the news of the earlier attack on the airport, went to the office windows to see “a plume of smoke” rising from Maalbeek station, he said. |
There was “initially shock and then the realisation that this was a serious attack also became clear”, he added. | There was “initially shock and then the realisation that this was a serious attack also became clear”, he added. |
Hill said he walked home at the end of the day, rather than using a car, as “my own kind of probably meaningless gesture” of solidarity, and was already able to see signs of life returning to normal. | Hill said he walked home at the end of the day, rather than using a car, as “my own kind of probably meaningless gesture” of solidarity, and was already able to see signs of life returning to normal. |
“There were people sitting out having a drink and the bars were full of young people and I took that as an actually rather encouraging sign. There were lots of people walking because the public transport wasn’t working,” he said. | “There were people sitting out having a drink and the bars were full of young people and I took that as an actually rather encouraging sign. There were lots of people walking because the public transport wasn’t working,” he said. |
“It’s back working this morning, trams are running, there are buses running, there’s Metro running and train stations are opening, so there are signs of life getting back to normal after that initial shock.” | “It’s back working this morning, trams are running, there are buses running, there’s Metro running and train stations are opening, so there are signs of life getting back to normal after that initial shock.” |
Updated | Updated |
at 9.22am GMT | at 9.22am GMT |