Police find bomb, IS flag in Brussels attack search, issue wanted notice for Brussels airport bombing suspect
At least 21 killed. The deadly explosions at Brussels airport on Tuesday were carried out by a suicide bomber, Belgium's federal prosecutor said, broadcasters VTM and RTBF reported, without giving more details.
Explosions tore through the departure hall of Brussels airport on Tuesday morning killing at least 34 people and injuring over 150 others and a second blast struck a metro station in the capital shortly afterwards, the Belgian public broadcaster RTBF said.
The Belga agency said shots were fired and there were shouts in Arabic shortly before the blasts at the airport. Pictures on social media showed smoke rising from the terminal building through shattered windows and passengers running away down a slipway, some still hauling their bags.
The blasts at the airport and metro station occurred four days after the arrest in Brussels of a suspected participant in November militant attacks in Paris that killed 130 people. Belgian police had been on alert for any reprisal action.
Airport spokeswoman Anke Fransen said: "There were two blasts in the departure hall. First aid team are in place for help."
Brussels airport said it had cancelled all flights and the complex had been evacuated and trains to the airport had been stopped. Passengers were taken to coaches from the terminal that would remove them to a secure area.
There has been a high state of alert across western Europe for fear of militant attacks backed by Islamic State, which claimed responsibility for the Paris attack.
Live coverage following the Brussels attack here.
Latest Updates
I have spoken to Manjeev Puri our Ambassador in Brussels. Our Embassy officials are attending on the injured in the hospital: Sushma Swaraj
US state department says an undetermined number of US citizens injured in Brussels blasts, early indications are that no Americans were killed.
- Jet Airways' list of cancelled flights
Belgian prosecutor says 'too early' to make links with Paris attacks
Police find bomb, IS flag in Brussels search.
Belgian prosecutor says 'too early' to make links with Paris attacks.
200 Jet passengers hv boarded the bus from Brussels airport 2 the hotel. Only 15 left the airport to be taken in 2nd trip.
Belgium police issue warrant and CCTV photo of man on the run since Brussels attacks at the Zaventem airport.
Several raids under way across Belgium: prosecutor
Belgium police issue warrant and CCTV photo of man on the run since Brussels attacks at the Zaventem airport.
Islamic State's official claim of credit for Brussels attack
The airport will also be closed tomorrow 23 March.
Third bomb failed to explode at Brussels airport: governor
The Belgian federal police released photograph of suspects of the terror attack.
UN chief Ban calls Brussels attacks 'despicable'.
Detailed statement by Jet Airways on its stranded Indian guests:
Indian Embassy too shared an update regarding the same.
Travel advisory for Indians travelling to Belgium by Indian embassy
A few images being shared on social media in solidarity with victims of Brussels attack-
Belgium calls three days of national mourning after attacks: official
Islamic State group carried out Brussels attacks, IS-linked Amaq agency
Eurostar says all its trains to and from Brussels have been suspended until further notice: FT Brussels
- Timeline of the events leading to the Brussels attack
Police in major US cities stepped up security on Tuesday after more than 30 people were killed in attacks on an airport and subway in Belgium, though officials said there was no evidence of specific threats to the United States.
President Barack Obama spoke by telephone on Tuesday with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel to offer his condolences and support after the attacks in Brussels that killed at least 34 people, the White House said on Tuesday. "The President reaffirmed the steadfast support of the United States for Belgium, and offered any assistance necessary in investigating these attacks and bringing those responsible to justice," the White House said.
US President Barack Obama condemns 'outrageous' Brussels attacks.
A new Twitter account called "Brussels Lift" was created to offer practical help by connecting "people who need to travel with drivers who have empty seats". People were using the hashtag #BrusselsLift to ask for rides and offer car spaces.
The odds of Britain voting to leave the European Union in a June referendum narrowed on Tuesday as attacks in Brussels that killed at least 34 people were seen boosting the 'Out' campaign.
This cartoon by Le Monde, depicting France in solidarity with Belgium, is being widely shared.
Belgian authorities urged the media to refrain from reporting on the probe into triple bomb attacks in Brussels after some said raids were underway in the city."The federal prosecutor notes that certain journalists are reporting information about the investigation under way," a statement said. "The federal prosecutor urges the press to immediately refrain from conveying information relative to the investigation so as not to harm the inquiry," it said.
Wall Street opened lower on Tuesday after explosions in Brussels sparked fresh geopolitical concerns and sent investors scurrying for safe-haven assets.
Shares of American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Delta Airlines, were down between 3% and 1.6%. The broader NYSE Arca Airline index was down 1.8%. Gold rose 1% to $1,255 an ounce, while oil prices were swept lower.
"With economic growth so tepid around the world, including in the United States, the susceptibility to any type of terrorist attacks could highlight the market's fragility," said James Abate, chief investment office of Centre Funds in New York.
In a news conference in Jordan which European Union's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini cut short after tears welled in her eyes, she said Europe and the Middle East should tackle together the radicalisation and violence which brought grief to both parts of the world.
"It's a very sad day for Europe as Europe and its capital are suffering the same pain that this region has known every single day - plagued in Syria, plagued elsewhere," she said in the Jordanian capital Amman.
Two key railway stations in Brussels will reopen at 1500 GMT to allow for traffic to and from Belgium's capital, but the central station will remain closed for now in the wake of multiple bomb attacks.
Security at the southern and northern Brussels stations will be beefed up with 500 soldiers, the La Libre newspaper said.
US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said despite the deadly attacks in Brussels, acts of terror "will not succeed" and vowed to stand by America's European allies. "Today's attacks will only strengthen our resolve to stand together as allies and defeat terrorism and radical jihadism around the world," the former US secretary of state said in a statement.
The mobile network near the Airport is not functional. But What'sApp is reachable, says Sushma Swaraj. Crisis Centre Belgium advises call Emergency numbers from landline
Fear and acrid smoke descend on Brussels.
Supporters of Islamic State praised on social media blasts in Brussels that killed about 20 people on Tuesday. "The state will force you to reevaluate your ways a thousand times before you are emboldened to kill Muslims again, and know that Muslims now have a state to defend them," said one supporter of the group on Twitter.
Shots were fired and words in Arabic shouted before the two explosions in the departure hall of Brussels airport, Belgan news agency reported.
Belgian media reports of Tihange nuclear plant evacuation
- Jet Airways issues statement on security threat.
Belgium police to detonate suspect package at Brussels airport: crisis centre: AFP
Belgium's royal palace in central Brussels was not evacuated on Tuesday following the blast, the palace said in an official twitter message. "Contrary to some reports, the royal palace has not been evacuated," the twitter message said. Earlier broadcaster RTBF had reported King Philippe and Queen Mathilde were in shock and the palace had been evacuated.
Police discover non-exploded bomb belt at Brussels airport. Police find assault rifle next to dead attacker at Brussels airport, says Belgian private broadcaster VTM
Sushma Swaraj assures help from the Indian Embassy in Belgium to Indians stuck there. "I have again spoken to our Ambassador in Brussels. He has informed that all stranded Indian passengers are being provided hotel accommodation," she said.
One British national injured in Brussels explosions
- "We stand united against terrorism," says Brussels PM.
Top Democrat on US House Intelligence Committee says Brussels attacks 'bear all the hallmarks of an ISIS-inspired, or ISIS-coordinated, attack'.
Video from Brussels metro moments after the attack:
'We fear that people are still at large': Belgian foreign minister after attacks.
- Jet Airways gives out statement say arrangements being made for the passengers.
Belgian public broadcaster VRT raised the death toll from Tuesday's twin attacks in Brussels to 34, with 20 people killed in the blast on a metro train and 14 in explosions at the airport.