Explosions hit Brussels airport and metro, at least 34 feared dead

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Explosions hit Brussels airport and metro, at least 34 feared dead



BRUSSELS: Loud explosions ripped through the departure hall of Brussels Zaventem Airport and separately at a Brussels metro station on Tuesday (Mar 22), with reports that more than 34 people were killed and many others injured.

Two explosions were reported to have occurred inside the airport's departure hall at about 8am local time.

Another explosion was heard at Maalbeek metro station in Brussels, about 90 minutes later, according to Belgian public broadcaster RTBF. It occurred during rush hour, close to a number of EU institutions, with black smoke seen billowing from the entrance to the station.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said that the "blind, violent and cowardly" attacks on Brussels airport and the metro system were a "black day" for the country. "This is a day of tragedy, a black day," Michel said on national television.

The source of the blasts could not be immediately confirmed but Belgian prosecutor Frederic Van Leeuw said the twin blasts at Brussels airport were probably caused by at least one suicide bomber. The airport was closed until further notice, according to Eurocontrol.

Local news agency Belga reported that gunfire and shouting in Arabic was heard inside the airport before the blasts. At least 34 people have been killed, with 20 at the metro station and 14 at the airport, according to broadcaster VRT.

At Maalbeek station, at least 15 people with bloodied faces were being treated by emergency services on the pavement, an AFP reporter said.

The explosions triggered a transport shutdown in the city that is home to the headquarters of both the EU and NATO.

All metro stations were closed and bus and tram services suspended, the Brussels Transport Authority said.


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