Explosions at Brussels airport and subway systems

March 22, 2016

At least 26 people, according to Belgian officials, have been killed and many more have been injured today following attacks on transport infrastructure in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. Authorities have stated one of the explosions, at approximately 08:00 (Central European Time, UTC+1) in the check-in area at, was likely conducted by a suicide bomber. There was a subsequent attack at the, very close to the offices of the and the. Passengers at the metro station were forced to walk along tracks to escape the blast. The Brussels metro system has been shut down.

Jef Versele, a business traveller intending to fly to, witnessed the events at the airport. In remarks to, he said, "There was dust everywhere, glass everywhere there was chaos. There were people on the floor everywhere. The roofing came down. It was quite a mess. [...] A lot of people were in panic. I saw a lot of blood, a lot of people were injured. People were crying, on the floor, covered by parts of the roofing. I saw a lot of leg injuries, a lot of people couldn't move anymore. There were quite a lot of people injured. In the departure hall — you saw people storming out, it was like run for your life."

All flights to Brussels Airport have been diverted and the airport has been shut down. has stopped the international train service from and the train company  have shut down their entire network.

, the Belgian interior minister, said the country's alert level had been at maximum following the capture in Brussels of, who is alleged to have been involved in the.

, Belgium's Prime Minister, described the attacks as "blind, violent and cowardly" and a "dark moment for our country".

, the president of the, said: "These attacks mark another low by the terrorists in the service of hatred and violence"

The French President,, has held a cabinet meeting to discuss security. After the meeting, Hollande said "terrorists struck Brussels but it was Europe that was targeted". The French Prime Minister,, said: "we are at war. We have been subjected for the last few months in Europe to acts of war."

British Prime Minister has convened a  meeting to discuss Britain's response. He said he was "shocked and concerned by the events in Brussels" and pledged Britain would do "everything we can to help". U.S. President has been briefed on the attack during his trip in. The U.S. Embassy in Brussels has advised U.S. citizens in Belgium to not use public transport and to stay where they are.