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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Brussels attacks: Police strike halts Brussels airport reopening | Brussels attacks: Police strike halts Brussels airport reopening |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Plans to partially reopen Brussels airport on Friday evening have been halted amid a strike by airport police over security concerns. | Plans to partially reopen Brussels airport on Friday evening have been halted amid a strike by airport police over security concerns. |
| The Zaventem facility has been closed since a twin suicide bomb attack on the departures hall on 22 March. | The Zaventem facility has been closed since a twin suicide bomb attack on the departures hall on 22 March. |
| The SLFP police union told the BBC that security measures put in place for the reopening were insufficient. | The SLFP police union told the BBC that security measures put in place for the reopening were insufficient. |
| So-called Islamic State (IS) said it carried out bombings of the airport and metro system that killed 32 people. | So-called Islamic State (IS) said it carried out bombings of the airport and metro system that killed 32 people. |
| Vincent Gilles, the president of the SLFP, the largest police union in Belgium, said: "We are on strike because of what happened on 22 March - we cannot continue as if this day has not happened. | Vincent Gilles, the president of the SLFP, the largest police union in Belgium, said: "We are on strike because of what happened on 22 March - we cannot continue as if this day has not happened. |
| "The police feel the security measures put in place by the airport company are insufficient for those who work and use the airport." | "The police feel the security measures put in place by the airport company are insufficient for those who work and use the airport." |
| He says metal detectors, body scanners and x-ray machines should be set up to screen people before they are allowed into terminals. | |
| The authorities have so far rejected this, arguing that such checks would create new queues outside the buildings, leading to fresh security risks. | |
| In an earlier statement, the airport's operators had said a partial reopening would be possible on Friday evening, after a temporary check-in system had been tested and made ready. | In an earlier statement, the airport's operators had said a partial reopening would be possible on Friday evening, after a temporary check-in system had been tested and made ready. |
| However, it said the departures area, which was severely damaged by the bomb attacks, would only operate at 20% of normal capacity, receiving only 800 departing passengers per hour. | However, it said the departures area, which was severely damaged by the bomb attacks, would only operate at 20% of normal capacity, receiving only 800 departing passengers per hour. |
| The operator said on Friday this could not now go ahead because of the strike. Belgian media said the government was still considering the possibility of a reopening. | |
| Defence Minister Steven Vandeput said: "We must find a balance between economic needs and security needs." | Defence Minister Steven Vandeput said: "We must find a balance between economic needs and security needs." |
| Criminal backgrounds | Criminal backgrounds |
| The airport operator's chief executive, Arnaud Feist, said earlier this week that the airport would take months to reopen fully. | The airport operator's chief executive, Arnaud Feist, said earlier this week that the airport would take months to reopen fully. |
| In an earlier open letter to authorities published by Belgian broadcaster VRT (in Dutch), police had said they had sent "strong daily signals regarding the overall security at the airport". | In an earlier open letter to authorities published by Belgian broadcaster VRT (in Dutch), police had said they had sent "strong daily signals regarding the overall security at the airport". |
| They also alleged that too many airport employees had criminal backgrounds. | They also alleged that too many airport employees had criminal backgrounds. |
| Police are still searching for the third man who took part in the airport attacks. The man, pictured on CCTV wearing a hat, was said to have fled the scene without detonating his explosive device. | Police are still searching for the third man who took part in the airport attacks. The man, pictured on CCTV wearing a hat, was said to have fled the scene without detonating his explosive device. |
| The two airport bombers who died have been named as Najim Laachraoui and Ibrahim el-Bakraoui. | The two airport bombers who died have been named as Najim Laachraoui and Ibrahim el-Bakraoui. |
| Bakraoui's brother, Khalid el-Bakraoui, blew himself up at Maelbeek metro station. | Bakraoui's brother, Khalid el-Bakraoui, blew himself up at Maelbeek metro station. |
| Police later found a computer in which Ibrahim el-Bakraoui left a final message. | Police later found a computer in which Ibrahim el-Bakraoui left a final message. |
| The BBC has learned that the same computer contained plans and photos of Prime Minister Charles Michel's office and home. | The BBC has learned that the same computer contained plans and photos of Prime Minister Charles Michel's office and home. |