Deadly terror attacks strike Brussels
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At least 30 people died and more than 100 others were injured in a series of coordinated terrorist attacks on Belgium’s transport network on Tuesday morning.
Two explosions, believed to be bombs hidden in passenger suitcases, struck the departure hall of Brussels Airport at approximately 8am yesterday morning. Almost simultaneously, another bomb exploded at Maelbeek metro station in the Belgian capital.
“At 8am two explosions occurred in the departures hall. The emergency and rescue services are on the scene and are offering the necessary assistance. All flights at Brussels Airport today are cancelled. Passengers are requested to contact their airline for further instructions. The airport authorities are asking to avoid the surroundings of the airport,” the airport said in a statement on Tuesday.
It has since been confirmed that Brussels Airport will remain closed on Wednesday.
Initial reports suggested that the airport attack had targeted the American Airlines check-in desk, but the airline later denied this.
“At this time, all of our airport employees and crew members are safe and accounted for with no reported injuries,” the airline said in a statement. “American Airlines check-in operates at Row 8 of the departure hall, and the explosions did not occur at Row 8.”
The UNWTO said it was “deeply shocked” by the attacks in Brussels. “On the behalf of the international tourism community, UNWTO conveys its heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims and expresses its full solidarity with the people and the government of Belgium,” said UNWTO secretary-general, Taleb Rifai.
“This is not an attack on Belgium, it is an attack on us all and sadly these tragic events remind us again that we are facing a global threat that needs to be addressed globally.”
CCTV images released after the airport attack show three men pushing luggage trollies through the departure hall. One of these men is believed to have fled the scene and a manhunt is now underway. An unexploded bomb was later found at the airport and detonated by bomb disposal experts.
It has also been reported that the airport attackers shouted Islamic slogans before the explosions.
Brussels Airport handled more than 23 million passengers in 2015.
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