Two explosions at Brussels Airport (Pic: The Independent)
Brussels (IINA) – Many people have been killed or seriously injured in terrorist attacks at Brussels international airport and a city metro station, Belgium's prime minister has said.
Two blasts tore through the departures area of Zaventem airport shortly after 08:00 local time (07:00 GMT), BBC reported. An hour later, an explosion hit Maelbeek metro station. The airport and whole transport system are closed. The attacks come four days after Salah Abdeslam, the main fugitive in the Paris attacks, was seized in Brussels. Belgium has now raised its terror threat to its highest level. Prime Minister Charles Michel called the attacks "blind, violent and cowardly", saying they were a "tragic moment in our country's history. I would like to call on everyone to show calmness and solidarity".
The Belgian prosecutor said it was "probably a suicide bomber" who struck the airport. European Union president Donald Tusk said: "These attacks mark another low by the terrorists in the service of hatred and violence." Belgian broadcaster VRT said 13 people were killed at the airport, with at least 35 people severely injured. Some reports from the metro station speak of at least 10 deaths, but again there is no official confirmation. The Belga news agency reports that shots were fired and shouts in Arabic were heard before the two explosions at the airport.
Images on social media showed panic as people fled the airport. Rail transport to the airport has been halted and people have been told not to come. All flights have been diverted. Eurostar has cancelled all trains to and from Brussels. Security has been stepped up at Gatwick and Heathrow airports and the UK Foreign Office has advised British nationals to avoid crowded areas in Belgium. France has stepped up security. President Francois Hollande has held a cabinet meeting to discuss the Belgian explosions. There is also extra security at Dutch airports
AB/IINA
No comments:
Post a Comment