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Two Brussels suicide bombers 'named as el-Bakraoui brothers' Two Brussels suicide bombers 'named as el-Bakraoui brothers'
(35 minutes later)
Two of the suspected suicide-bombers who blew themselves up in twin attacks in Brussels on Tuesday have been named by the Belgian state broadcaster, RTBF, as Khalid and Ibrahim el-Bakraoui. The main surviving suspect in the twin bomb attacks in Brussels that killed at least 31 people has been arrested, Belgian media have reported.
Citing sources close to the investigation, the broadcaster 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. Najim Laachraoui, one of three men captured on a CCTV camera wheeling loaded luggage trolleys through the capital’s Zaventem airport, was detained in Anderlecht, west of the capital, after an intensive manhunt.
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. The news came after two of the suspected suicide bombers who blew themselves up in the attacks at the airport and the central Maelbeek metro station were named by the state broadcaster, RTBF, as brothers Khalid and Ibrahim el-Bakraoui.
Related: Brussels attacks: el-Bakraoui brothers 'named as suicide bombers' – liveRelated: Brussels attacks: el-Bakraoui brothers 'named as suicide bombers' – live
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. Citing sources close to the investigation, the broadcaster said in an unconfirmed report that Ibrahim el-Bakraoui detonated one of two devices that exploded at the airport, killing himself and at least 11 others and injuring more than 90 people.
Belgian newspaper DH reported that the third man captured on CCTV footage, believed to be on the run, is thought to be 24-year-old Najim Laachraoui. Laachraoui is also suspected of having links to the Paris attacks. RTBF said Khalid el-Bakraoui was responsible for a third explosion in a metro carriage at the metro 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.
However, the latest RTBF report only places Ibrahim el-Bakraoui at the airport, raising questions about the identity of a possible fourth attacker. On Tuesday Belgian police appealed for information about the men seen on the CCTV images. Earlier reports on Wednesday 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 existence of a possible fourth attacker who may have detonated the second airport bomb.
The two el-Bakraoui brothers, both Belgian nationals, were well known to police as longstanding criminals in the Belgian capital. More recently it had emerged that they had clear links to the bloody series of Paris attacks last November that killed 130 people.The two el-Bakraoui brothers, both Belgian nationals, were well known to police as longstanding criminals in the Belgian capital. More recently it had emerged that they had clear links to the bloody series of Paris attacks last November that killed 130 people.
A massive manhunt was launched for the third airport suspect, who is believed to have escaped after the explosives he was carrying did not detonate. In the CCTV footage he was dressed in a white jacket and hat. His two companions were dressed in black and wearing black gloves on their left hands thought to have concealed detonators. Laachraoui, 24, was seen on the CCTV footage dressed in a white jacket and hat and is also suspected of having links to the Paris attacks. The other two suspects on the grainy image were in black and wearing black gloves on their left hands, thought to have concealed detonators.
If the airport bombers prove to be part of the same cell as the Paris attackers, serious questions will be raised about potential police and intelligence failings.If the airport bombers prove to be part of the same cell as the Paris attackers, serious questions will be raised about potential police and intelligence failings.
The el-Bakraoui brothers are from Brussels and have a long history in organised crime in Belgium. One of the brothers had rented the flat in Forest, south-west Brussels, which was raided by police last Tuesday, a week before the Brussels attacks, and where Salah Abdeslam, the prime 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, Mohamed Belkaïd, an Algerian, was shot by a police sniper.The el-Bakraoui brothers are from Brussels and have a long history in organised crime in Belgium. One of the brothers had rented the flat in Forest, south-west Brussels, which was raided by police last Tuesday, a week before the Brussels attacks, and where Salah Abdeslam, the prime 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, Mohamed Belkaïd, an Algerian, 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 jihadi 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 known to have rented one of the hideouts of the Paris jihadi 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.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.
Laachraoui, whose nationality has not been given, was identified this week as a key suspect previously known by his alias, Soufiane Kayal. He is reported to have travelled to Syria in 2013 and was travelling with Abdeslam under his alias in September 2015 when their Mercedes was stopped at the Hungarian border with Austria.Laachraoui, whose nationality has not been given, was identified this week as a key suspect previously known by his alias, Soufiane Kayal. He is reported to have travelled to Syria in 2013 and was travelling with Abdeslam under his alias in September 2015 when their Mercedes was stopped at the Hungarian border with Austria.
Laachraoui’s DNA had been found at an apartment used by the attackers in Auvelais, near the central Belgian city of Namur, which he had rented under a false name. Traces were also found at another suspected hideout in Schaerbeek, a district of Brussels. RTBF reported that he could have been one of the bombmakers involved in the Paris attacks.Laachraoui’s DNA had been found at an apartment used by the attackers in Auvelais, near the central Belgian city of Namur, which he had rented under a false name. Traces were also found at another suspected hideout in Schaerbeek, a district of Brussels. RTBF reported that he could have been one of the bombmakers involved in the Paris attacks.
Islamic State claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s attacks, saying through its affiliated news agency Amaq that its fighters carried out “a series of bombings with explosive belts and devices”. The extremists had also opened fire at the airport and suicide belts were detonated in both attacks, it said.Islamic State claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s attacks, saying through its affiliated news agency Amaq that its fighters carried out “a series of bombings with explosive belts and devices”. The extremists had also opened fire at the airport and suicide belts were detonated in both attacks, it said.
According to local reports, a taxi driver has come forward after recognising CCTV images of the three airport suspects as men he picked up from an apartment block and dropped off at the airport.According to local reports, a taxi driver has come forward after recognising CCTV images of the three airport suspects as men he picked up from an apartment block and dropped off at the airport.
The report said this led police to raid an apartment block in Schaerbeek, where they discovered an explosive device filled with nails, as well as an Islamic State flag and chemicals.The report said this led police to raid an apartment block in Schaerbeek, where they discovered an explosive device filled with nails, as well as an Islamic State flag and chemicals.
The driver remembered the men had too much luggage to fit into his vehicle and were forced to leave some behind, Belgian news outlet HLN reported. He was also not allowed to assist them in unloading luggage upon arrival at the airport.The driver remembered the men had too much luggage to fit into his vehicle and were forced to leave some behind, Belgian news outlet HLN reported. He was also not allowed to assist them in unloading luggage upon arrival at the airport.
Belgium raised its terror alert to its highest level in the aftermath of the attacks. The airport will remain closed on Wednesday and the metro will be running a reduced service, but schools were expected to open as normal following Tuesday’s city lockdown.Belgium raised its terror alert to its highest level in the aftermath of the attacks. The airport will remain closed on Wednesday and the metro will be running a reduced service, but schools were expected to open as normal following Tuesday’s city lockdown.
The suspects
Ibrahim el-Bakraoui
El-Bakraoui is believed to have detonated at least some of the explosives at Brussels’ main airport. He and his brother, Khalid, had a long history in organised crime in Belgium and so were well known to police. Both brothers had clear links to the Paris attacks and were among the suspects on the run.
Unidentified suspect
The second bomber at the airport.
Khalid el-Bakraoui
Police told Belgian media they believe Khalid el-Bakroui was responsible for the explosion in a metro carriage at Maelbeek station on the rue de la Loi, which killed at least 14 people and injured more than 130. Like his brother Ibrahim, the suspected airport bomber, he had a history of crime and links to the Paris attacks. He had rented the flat in Forest, south-west Brussels, that was raided by police last Tuesday, exactly a week before the Brussels attacks, and where Salah Abdeslam, the surviving Paris attacker, had been present.
Najim Laachraoui
Laachraoui, reportedly under arrest, was identified as a key suspect in the Paris attacks the day before the Brussels bombings. His DNA was found in two hideouts used by Paris attackers and also on explosive material, prosecutors have said. Laachraoui was travelling under an alias with Salah Abdeslam in September last year when their Mercedes was stopped at the Hungarian border with Austria. The Belgian state broadcaster RTBF reported that he could have been one of the bombmakers in the Paris attacks.
Haroon Siddique