Brussels Terror Attacks: At Least 34 Dead and over 200 Injured at Airport and Subway Station

Brussels attacks
Multiple explosions at Brussels Zaventem airport and subway station claimed about 34 lives and left over 200 injured. |

Three explosions rocked Brussels on Tuesday, killing at least 28 people and injuring over 200, according to the latest media reports. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attacks, according to a website affiliated with the militant group.

Two bombs exploded at the Brussels Zaventem airport at 8:00 am local time (07:00 GMT) near excess baggage counter and near Starbucks café in the departure hall, killing 14 people and injuring 92.

The third bomb went off at a train that had stopped at Maelbeek subway station at about 9:10 am, and killed 20 people and wounded another 106.

Prime Minister Charles Michel condemned the attacks as "blind, violent and cowardly", adding that this was a "tragic moment in our country's history. I would like to call on everyone to show calmness and solidarity."

The first two bombs at the airport went off within 15 seconds of one another, with a distance of 20 meters between them. At least one of the explosions appear to be carried out by suicide bombers. Eyewitness accounts say that the explosions brought down the ceiling of an airport wing, shattered glass windows, and ruptured pipes.

The third explosion of the Maelbeek subway station was not every far from the European parliament and the headquarters of the European Union.

The injured at the station were taken to a local pub, which served as a makeshift treatment center.

Donald Tusk, EU President said: "These attacks mark another low by the terrorists in the service of hatred and violence."

The Belga news agency reported that some shouts in Arabic were heard before the bombs exploded, and that there were sounds of firing. Another local news channel RTBF said that a Kalashnikov rifle was discovered at the departure hall at the airport.

The attacks come four days after Salah Abdeslam, the prime suspect in the Paris attacks, was arrested in Brussels. He is the lone survivor of the 10 militants who were at the forefront of carrying out the attacks which killed 130 people.

He had told the authorities that he had formed a new team to carry out more attacks. However, officials have not yet confirmed whether there is a direct connection between his arrest for the Paris attacks and the recent attacks in Brussels.

Belgium's terror alert level has been raised to the maximum, and international train travel to and from Belgium has been suspended. Other cities in Europe including Paris and London have also been put on high alert, and their airport security was tightened.