Bomb blasts in Brussels have left 31 people dead and 260 injured when the city’s airport and metro station became the site of three suicide attacks.
The main terminal of Zaventem international airport, in the north-east of Belgium’s capital city, was hit by two blasts.
Home to the headquarters of the European union, the city was also struck with a third explosion at the Maelbeek metro station, situated near a number of EU institutions.
Brothers Khalid and Brahim el-Bakraoui, Belgian nationals known to the police, have been identified as having carried out the attacks.
Belgian federal prosecutor confirmed that suicide bomber Khalid el-Bakraoui caused the explosion in the metro station whilst his brother Brahim was identified amongst three suspects caught on CCTV at the international airport a short while before the bomb blasts took place.
Terrorist group Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which took place following the arrest in Brussels of Salah Abdeslam, a suspect believed to have had major involvement in the attacks in Paris on 13 November 2015.
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said: “What we feared, has happened.”
He added. “We realise we face a tragic moment. We have to be calm and show solidarity.”
In light of the terrorist attacks, Britons are being advised by the British government to limit all travel to Brussels to essential journeys only.
Britons in Brussels have been warned by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to “stay away from crowded places and to avoid public transport at this time”.
Any concerned Britons worried about the safety of a friend or relative in Belgium are able to contact a helpline set up by the FCO. The phone number is 0207 008 0000.
