Several explosions happened on Tuesday morning in Brussels, Belgium. The attacks occurred four days after Salah Abdeslam, the suspected organizer of last fall’s attacks in Paris, was captured in Belgium.
This is what we know so far.
There were explosions in two locations.
There were two explosions at the Brussels international airport and one in a central subway station, according to the New York Times.
The explosions at the airport happened in the departure hall around 8 am, local time. The subway explosion was at the Maelbeek station, which is apparently near some European Union buildings.
Horreur : Explosion à l’aéroport de #Zaventem: des blessés signalés, évacuation en cours . . . pic.twitter.com/kWmJVNJFWH
— Jamal Ikazban (@ikazban) March 22, 2016
At least 28 people died.
Officials said that 15 people died at the subway station and the media is reporting that 13 people died at the airport, according to the BBC.
That number is expected to change as more information is confirmed.
The Belgian prime minister has called this terrorism.
Prime Minister Charles Michel said,
We were fearing terrorist attacks, and that has now happened.
BRUSSELS (AP) – French prime minister: “We are at war. We have been subjected for the last few months in Europe to acts of war.”
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) March 22, 2016
Belgian federal prosecutor Frederic Van Leeuw is also calling this terrorism, according to the Associated Press. He said it’s likely there was a suicide bomber at the airport.
Brussels is on lockdown.
The city is completely shut down. The airport is closed and incoming flights are being diverted. All public transportation has been shut down.
All public transport in #Brussel is closed. Metro and train stations closed. Stay where you are. #zaventem
— CrisisCenter Belgium (@CrisiscenterBE) March 22, 2016
People in Brussels are being told to stay where they are and not use phones as the lines are overrun. Authorities suggested people instead use social media. Facebook launched a safety check-in for the city.
We will update this post as there is more information.
