LIVE: Brussels under attack: At least 26 dead in terrorist attacks at Brussels airport and Metro
Published
22/03/2016 | 07:22
Brussels Airport has warned people not to visit the scene and have requested all passengers stay away. All Metro stations in the city have been closed.
"Don't come to the airport - airport is being evacuated. Avoid the airport area. Flights have been cancelled," they tweeted from their official Twitter account.
A total of 225 troops have arrived in the city in the wake of explosions.
Shots were fired and Arabic shouted before the blasts, according to Belgian news agency Belga.
"There have been 2 explosions at the airport. Building is being evacuated. Don't come to the airport area."
It is understood the explosions occurred at the entrance to the departures hall, near the American Airlines check-in desk.
The cause of the explosions is yet unclear, according to Belgian media.
•Read more: Several people wounded following bombing at Brussels Metro station
Graphic pictures and footage of the explosions have emerged online, with visible smoke rising from the airport entrance.
An Irish student on Erasmus in Brussels has documented the evacuation from the airport.
Law and politics student Luke Mac an Bháird said the crowd at Gate B at Brussels Airport were evacuated to the back of the terminal.
The crowd were first told to remain put, before they were evacuated to a tarmac area at the back of the terminal.
He described how a stampede began as panic set in.
"There was a moment of intense worry as people shouted 'run'. On the tarmac now though," he tweeted.
"There was just a mass of people at once running to the bottom of the gates, they were saying that another bomb was coming," he told the Anton Savage Show on TodayFM.
"I didn't know what was going on. It was very confusing."
"Ever since what happened in Paris last year, there's always an army presence [in Brussells]. Even this morning when I got the train to go to the airport the army was there but there was nothing different today though to suggest that something was [about to happen].
"What really put it into perspective for me was hearing thousands of people shouting all at once," he said.
Irish man Ian McCafferty, who was underground at the next Metro station said the crowd heard a 'muffled thud' and panic set in.
"There was a loud muffled thud, it was very audible. There was a lot of dust and smoke raised at the metro station," he told Sky News.
"Soldiers who are always on hand these days were very quick to evacuate the building.
"There was a lot of people crying.
"The initial shock of the explosion would have lifted a lot of dust through the tunnels and once we were evacuated from the building we saw some smoke.
•Read more: Five things we know about the Brussels bombings so far
Shock
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan TD has expressed his shock at this morning's explosions in Brussels.
"I am horrified by reports of multiple explosions in Brussels, Belgium and my thoughts are with those affected.
"The Consular Section of my Department, in conjunction with our Embassy in Belgium, are working with the local authorities.
"Anyone with concerns for family and friends can contact the Consular Division of my Department on +353 1 418 0200.
"Any Irish citizens in Brussels or Belgium should exercise caution and closely follow the instructions of local authorities.
"We will be updating our guidance in consultation with the Authorities as this situation unfolds."
A Sky News journalist at the scene reported security at the airport to be requesting people to leave their hand luggage and head out of the building immediately.
Sky News television’s Alex Rossi was at the scene and said he heard two 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,” he said.
Flights
An Aer Lingus flight that departed from Dublin Airport this morning at 6.40am has been diverted to Amsterdam as a result of the incident.
A spokesperson for the airline said that they have cancelled all flights in and out of the city today.
Customers who have booked flights to/from Brussels have been advised that they can change their flight for free.
"We will be reviewing the situation throughout the day," the spokesperson told independent.ie.
Meanwhile, Ryanair - which also operates flights to and from Zaventem airport - have notified passengers of flight cancellations and diversions.
"Brussels Zaventem Airport is currently closed and is expected to remain closed for some time," a spokeseperson said.
"Our Brussels flights to Alicante, Barcelona and Dublin have been cancelled and two flights have diverted to Brussels Charleroi.
"Customers travelling to/from Brussels Zaventem today should check the Ryanair.com website before travelling to the airport".
The blasts come four days after Paris November terror attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam was captured by police in Brussels.
International reaction
The European Confederation of Police has released a statement this morning saying that the latest incident reminds us "once again of the dangers and threats facing our citizens."
EuroCOP extends their sympathies to those who have been impacted, people who have lost loved ones or have been injured themselves.
"At this time it appears police officers in Brussels are dealing with a coordinated terrorists attack. These attacks have left several dead and many more injured," EuroCOP's Àngels Bosch said.
“Once again incidents such as this serve to remind us of bravery shown by police officers as they place themselves in harms way so others don't have to.
“All Europeans can be grateful that they are served by such courageous men and women giving their all in attempts to keep them safe.
“I want to be very clear however that brave men and women is not enough. We must ensure our police forces cooperate in a way they never have before. Recent events have shown us that terrorism knows no borders."
Online Editors
http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/live-brussels-under-attack-at-least-26-dead-in-terrorist-attacks-at-brussels-airport-and-metro-34560912.html