LiveBrussels airport explosion: Latest updates

Summary

  1. Explosions reported at Brussels airport
  2. Early reports at least one person killed and several injured
  3. Pictures show significant damage to the terminal building
  4. The blasts come days after the capture of Salah Abdeslam, the main suspect in the Paris attacks in November

Live Reporting

By Joel Gunter and Alex Therrien

Two airline check-ins targeted, Belgian media say

Two bomb packages went off in the departure hall of Brussels airport, Het Laatste Nieuws reports. 

One was close to the SN Brussels Airlines desk and another near the American Airlines desk, it says.

Up to 10 dead at airport - Belgian media

Belgian broadcaster RTBF, citing a hospital source, says up to 10 people died and 30 were wounded in the Brussels airport explosions. 

Police have yet to release an official death toll.

BreakingBrussels metro system shut down

The Brussels metro has tweeted to say the entire system is shut down following reports of a blast at Maelbeek station, close to the city's EU institutions. 

Fermeture du métro #STIB Sluiting van alle metrostations #MIVB All metro stations are closing #Brussels @zpz_polbru

Belgian PM: Government 'following situation closely'

Belgian PM Charles Michel tweets: "The federal government is following the situation closely. Absolute priority goes to the victims and to the aid effort at the airport"  

Federale regering volgt de situatie op de voet. Absolute prioriteit gaat naar de slachtoffers en naar de hulpverlening op de luchthaven.

BreakingBelgium raises terror threat to highest level

Belgium has raised its terror threat to the highest level, AFP reports. 

That takes the level for the entire country up from level three to four, the maximum.

The country was already on high alert after a shootout in the Brussels suburb of Molenbeek last week in which Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam was captured.

#BREAKING Belgium raises terror threat to highest level: minister

Eyewitness: 'I could feel the building move'

Sky News journalist Alex Rossi was at the airport when the blasts occurred. He said he heard two "very, very loud explosions". 

"I could feel the building move. There was also dust and smoke as well... I went towards where the explosion came from and there were people coming out looking very dazed and shocked.

"The thinking here is that it is some kind of terrorist attack - that hasn't been verified by any of the authorities here at the airport." 

Shots fired, Arabic shouted before explosions - reports

Belgian news agency Belga is reporting that shots were fired and Arabic was shouted before the two explosions at Brussels airport.

Multiple reports say the explosions happened at the American Airline check in desk.

Brussels airport 'closed until further notice'

Brussels airport has been closed until further notice, says Eurocontrol, a European organisation for the safety of air navigation, following Brussels airport explosions.  

Airport confirms two explosions, building is being evacuated

Brussels airport has tweeted to confirm the reports of two explosions and warn people to stay away from the area.

There have been 2 explosions at the airport. Building is being evacuated. Don't come to the airport area.

Don't come to the airport - airport is being evacuated. Avoid the airport area. Flights have been cancelled.

BreakingExplosions heard at Brussels airport, several reported injured

Two explosions have been reported in the departure hall of Brussels airport, injuring several people.

Images shared on social media showed smoke rising from the terminal building and significant damage inside. 

The blasts come four days after the arrest in Brussels of a suspected Paris attacker Salah Abdeslam in Brussels. 

You can follow live updates here.

twitter: https://twitter.com/annadoble/status/712177439053651968
twitter: https://twitter.com/D_Schwarzer/status/712173569430720512
twitter: https://twitter.com/intlspectator/status/712180999564738560
twitter: https://twitter.com/GINER/status/712182070932578305