Several Dead After Multiple Explosions Rock Brussels Airport And Metro Station
Brussels airport on lockdown as train and plane services suspended.
By Sadho Ram — 22 Mar 2016, 05:04 PM
The departures area of Zaventem airport in Brussels has been hit with 2 blasts. While the Belgian govt has confirmed casualties, it has given no numbers. The cause of the blasts is unknown.
There have been 2 explosions at the airport. Building is being evacuated. Don't come to the airport area.
— Brussels Airport (@BrusselsAirport) March 22, 2016
Don't come to the airport - airport is being evacuated. Avoid the airport area. Flights have been cancelled.
— Brussels Airport (@BrusselsAirport) March 22, 2016
All airport operations have been suspended until further notice. Follow the information on our website.
— Brussels Airport (@BrusselsAirport) March 22, 2016
According to The Guardian, there are unconfirmed reports that 11 people have been killed in the blasts. The Guardian also noted that a local journalist cited firefighters as the source for the death of 11.
Images on social media showed smoke rising from one of the buildings, amid reports of panic as people fled the airport. All flights have been diverted.
Other reports say at least one of the explosions was close to the American Airlines check-in area but this has not been confirmed. The Belgian broadcaster RTBF quoted a witness as saying there were people injured or unconscious in the departure area, opposite the Sheraton hotel.
An hour later, explosions hit Maalbeek metro station, close to the EU institutions. Following which the metro system has been closed.
This video shows the aftermath of the blast at metro:
Fumée métro maelbeeck #bruxelles @RTBFinfo pic.twitter.com/YVRVh2wwXa
— JF (@jfbxl) March 22, 2016