Brussels explosions: Belgian police issue wanted notice for airport bombing suspect
ISIS claim responsibility for Brussels terror attacks • Belgian police post image of airport suspect on website
Belgian police are urging anyone who has information on this person to come forward
People in Brussels leave candles and flowers in tribute to the victims (Photo: Twitter)
Emergency responders attending to injured outside Maelbeek metro station. (Photo: Twitter)
Terminal passengers being evacuated from Zaventem airport after twin explosion rocked the busy transit point.
Inside Zaventem: photo from Twitter feed
Two explosions have struck the departures area of Zaventem airport in Brussels, with an unspecified number of casualties confirmed by the Belgian authorities.
The cause of the explosions is unknown, but the blasts come four days after the capture in Brussels of Salah Abdeslam, the main suspect in the jihadist attacks in Paris on 13 November 2015.
The Belgian fire service reported at least 35 severely injured and 13 dead after twin explosions rocked Zaventem.
MaltaToday is informed that a Maltese employee of the Permanent Representation, technical attaché Lorenzo Vella was injured in the explosion while waiting in the vicinity of an American Airlines desk. He is not believed to be in a critical state. His wife was accompanying him, but is not injured.
A second Maltese national was passing through airport gates when the blast took place. He was not injured.
Emergency services are clearing the airport. Belgium's Het Laatste Nieuws reports that more bombs have been found.
The Belga news agency reports that shots were fired and shouts in Arabic were heard before the two explosions.
Flights are being diverted away from Zaventem Airport, a spokesperson for the airport said.
Social media reports from the scene speak of panic as people fled the airport buildings. Images showed a swathe of shattered glass on one of the buildings. Other reports say at least one explosion was close to the American Airlines check-in area but again this has not been confirmed.
The Zaventem airport is 11km north-east of Brussels and dealt with more than 23 million passengers last year.
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Malta Embassy in Brussels can be contacted on +32 (0)2 238 36 08.
“The explosion must have been some 10 to 20 metres away from where we were standing. Debris was flying all over and I got hit in the back. We heard a second explosion and my wife helped me back up on to my feet to run outside.
“People were crying and running. There was blood everywhere. Outside, I received medical attention. I couldn’t move. Suddenly, outside the terminal, we could see police and firefighters rushing towards the airport. Despite the pain, I had to get back up and seek refuge elsewhere.”
Vella was then taken to the military hospital in Brussels, where he could also notice several injured children. He suffered slight injuries to his back.
The European Union mourns the victims of today's terrorist attacks in Brussels. It was an attack on our open democratic society.
Our common European institutions are hosted in Brussels, thanks to the generosity of the government of Belgium and the Belgian people. The European Union and its Member States stand firm with Belgium in solidarity and are determined to face this threat together with all necessary means.
This latest attack only strengthens our resolve to defend the European values and tolerance from the attacks of the intolerant. We will be united and firm in the fight against hatred, violent extremism and terrorism.
Belgian authorities have not released an official comment on the matter.
Between the two sites, local officials estimate that more than 180 people were injured in the attacks and more than 30 lives were claimed.
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“You are in my prayers,” Coleiro Preca said.
The President is in contact with the Maltese authorities and the embassy in Brussels.
Meanwhile, Brussels university VUB has urged students at the Etterbeek campus to remain indoors. Toon Vanagt, a Twitter user reportedly inside the university tweeted, "police just ordered me to stay inside due to imminent bomb threat near VUB campus."
The Government of Malta is deeply shocked by the terrorist attacks carried out early this morning in Brussels, Belgium. It condemns in the most categorical terms this despicable act and expresses its profound sorrow at the loss of lives and sympathy with the injured.
From information gathered to date one Maltese national was slightly injured in the blast.
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is in touch with Maltese nationals in Brussels and is following closely all developments.
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has set up two emergency lines which will be manned 24 hours till further notice:
Calls from Malta: 8007 2203 (FREEPHONE)
Calls from abroad: +356 2204 2200
Helpline in Brussels: +32 (0) 22 38 36 08
Until further notice, Maltese nationals are advised to abide by the instructions of the Belgian authorities and limit their movements within the city.
The Maltese government is not aware of any threat on the Maltese Islands, however under the prevailing circumstances the Maltese authorities are stepping up security precautions.
The permanent representation is also urging all Maltese in Brussels to stay home or at their place of work after false news circulated online of a meeting being held at Novotel Hotel.
Maltese at the airport during the time of the bombing were urged to go to Novotel Hotel, Zaventem. The perm rep has organised transport to take them back to the embassy. Five Maltese who were at the airport, or on their way, opted for the nearest safe place.
Several Maltese working with the EU institutions in Brussels have taken to Facebook to reassure their relatives and friends that they were safe. Brussels is currently under lockdown and police and army have been deployed to stand guard by the institutions.
Belgian authorities have also released an emergency phone number for anyone seeking information (+32) 02 506 47 11. From Belgium: 1771.
Malta’s permanent representation to the EU has confirmed that all of its employees, including embassy employees, have been accounted for.
The airline is waiving re-booking fees for its customers booked to and from Brussels until Thursday 24th March. The airline is offering passengers the possibility to change destination on these tickets.
On an exceptional basis, the airline is waiving re-booking fees for its customers booked to and from Brussels until Thursday 24th March. The airline is also offering passengers the possibility to change destination on these tickets.
The airline is closely monitoring the situation and will advise any changes to its flight schedule through its communication channels including website and social media.