UPDATE: Six more arrested in Belgium in raids related to the #BrusselsAttacks
Terror attacks across Brussels, capital of Belgium and centre of the European Union
Emergency services at the scene of explosions at Zaventem airport near Brussels, Belgium.[UPDATE: Friday, Mar 25 - 5.38pm]
- Six more were arrested in anti-terror raids in Belgium on Thursday. Belgian authorities are now seeking a new suspect with a large bag captured on CCTV talking to Khalid El Bakraoui at Maalbeek station. There is also a manhunt underway for a third attacker whose bomb failed to go off at Brussels airport according to AFP.
- The suicide bombers were identified as Ibrahim El Bakraoui and his brother Khalid, two Belgian nationals, on Thursday. Both are said to have links to Salah Abdeslam, the Paris attack suspect arrested the Friday before the Brussels attack, AFP reports.
[UPDATE: Wednesday, Mar 23 - 6pm]
A prime suspect in Tuesday's Brussels bombings, Najim Laachraoui, was arrested on Wednesday in the city's Anderlecht district, Belgian newspaper DH said on its website, Reuters reported.
Police were hunting him as a man seen with suspected suicide bombers at Brussels airport.
[UPDATE: Wednesday, Mar 23 - 12.40am]
Islamic State claimed responsibility for yesterday's attacks on Brussels airport and a rush-hour metro train in the Belgian capital, Reuters reports a news agency affiliated to the group saying. The attacks killed at least 30 people.
The Amaq agency said suicide bombers from the group, strapped into explosive belts, had staged both attacks. Belgian media said police were searching for one attacker who had survived the blasts.
The coordinated assault resulted in security measures being taken all across Europe and expressions of support from all over the world. The attacks came four days after Brussels police had captured the prime surviving suspect in Islamic State's attacks on Paris last November.
[UPDATE: Tuesday, Mar 22 - 5.57pm]
Suicide bombers are confirmed to be behind the Brussels explosions that have killed at least 13 and injured 35, Belgian broadcaster VRT said.
[UPDATE: Tuesday, Mar 22 - 5.38pm]
French President Francois Hollande is holding an emergency meeting with Prime Minister Manuel Valls, Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve after the Brussels explosions.
London’s Gatwick airport has increased security and British Prime Minister David Cameron has prepared to hold an emergency cabinet meeting on the attacks.
“As a result of the terrible incidents in Brussels, we have increased our security presence and patrols around the airport,” Gatwick airport said in a statement.
Cameron earlier said on Twitter he was “shocked and concerned” by the events in Brussels.
“I will be chairing a COBRA meeting on the events in Brussels later this morning,” Cameron said.
COBRA meetings are held to discuss how the government responds to emergency situations and bring together ministers, police and intelligence officers.
Eurostar trains to Brussels are currently suspended.
[UPDATE: Tuesday, Mar 22 - 5.19pm]
All public transport in Brussels has been closed down, says Brussels transport authority. Meanwhile, European nations are also strengthening their security.
The captial city is now in lockdown. Its residents are to stay home, while the military is being brought in.
At least 10 people have died as Brussels, the capital of Belgium, has been hit with multiple terror attacks today. Two separate explosions were reported at the airport just before 8am local time, causing widespread damage, injuries and death. All flights were immediately cancelled, and any flights heading towards Brussels were diverted to other airports in Europe.
Shortly after, another explosion sent shock waves at a Brussels metro station, followed by several others across the city. The transit system has since been shut down.
Brussels is the capital of Belgium but it is also considered the capital of the European Union. Last Friday, Salah Abdeslam, suspected as one of the masterminds of the deadly Paris attacks that killed 130 people last year, was arrested after a four-month manhunt in the same neighborhood in Brussels where he grew up.