Explosions in Brussels
Around an hour and a half ago there have been two explosions at Brussels Airport and there has been another one at Maalbeek metro station near the EU building. 13 people are reported dead, 35 severely injured(VTM). Allegedly shots were fired and Arabic and French was shouted just before the two explosions at the airport. The terror level is on 4, its maximum, and will be for months.
Update: Sky News just announced that at least 10 people have reportedly been killed Maalbeek metro blast.
Update: All EU institutions are at alert level ORANGE – all meetings on premises and outside cancelled, access only for staff with badges (https://twitter.com/KGeorgievaEU)
Update: The airport is closed until 6am tomorrow and all incoming and departing flights are cancelled. (https://twitter.com/FlyingBrussels)
Update: Belgium’s prime minister, Charles Michel, has warned the Belgian public to “avoid any movement” for the time being. (http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/mar/22/brussels-airport-explosions-live-updates)
Update: @heartfilledminds: “If you’re Dutch and in Brussels you can go to this site and tell your friends you’re safe: http://ikbenveilig.rodekruis.nl/ “
Update: Anyone affected or concerned about family and friends can contact the @foreignofficemusic-blog helpline on +44 207 008 0000 (https://twitter.com/foreignoffice)
Update: All trains to Brussels stations from Paris have been cancelled, writes Angelique Chrisafis. (http://www.theguardian.com)
Update: Sky News reported that probably no one died at Maalbeek metro blast but this has not been confirmed yet. There is confusion due to contrasts between two broadcasters.
Update: Belgium’s federal prosecutor has confirmed that the explosions at Brussels airport were carried out by a suicide bomber, according to broadcasters VTM and RTBF reported. (http://www.theguardian.com)
Update: American Airlines have released the following statement. The explosion in the airport occurred near to their departure desk.We are aware of an incident at the Brussels airport departure hall
and are taking care of our customers, employees and contractors. At this time, all of our employees and contractors are accounted for with no reported injuries. […] (http://www.buzzfeed.com/aliciamelvillesmith)Update: You are now able to mark yourself safe on Facebook.
Update: Brussels police have confirmed there have been deaths at the Maelbeek metro station but they have not disclosed numbers, AP reports. There are unconfirmed reports that 10 people were killed at the station.(http://www.theguardian.com)
Update: There have been smaller explosions near Maalbeek metro station but: “Small blasts, thought to be controlled explosions, have been heard close
the Maelbeek metro. Local media said it appeared to be the work of the
police bomb squad, Reuters reports.”(http://www.theguardian.com)Update: Belgium’s prime minister Charles Michel confirmed in a television press conference that the attack at the airport was carried by a suicide bomber.
Update: @davidcrunelle states: To journalists : no, nobody shouted islamic sentences before the two explosions. Please stop asking this. Thanks.
Should you be in Brussels right now: PLEASE, STAY SAFE!!! Don’t go out and don’t come to the airport. All flights are cancelled and trains are stopped. Also, STAY SAFE!!!
TEXT, DON’T CALL IF YOU SPEAK WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY
If you call 112 you will be redirected to an English-speaking officer.
1771 is the local emergency numberhttps://twitter.com/CrisiscenterBE: Contact via 1771, but give priority to victims and family. Do not call if not necessarily. All Telenet Hotspots are free to use.
PRAY FO BRUSSELS