BRUSSELS, Belgium: All the European airports have been put on high alert and security was beefed up after three explosions rocked the Zaventem airport and Maelbeek Metro Station in Brussels on Tuesday morning, killing at least 27 people and leaving several injured.
Earlier two blasts took place in the departure hall near the American Airlines check-in desk at the Zaventem airport following the gun fire which caused deaths of at least 17 people.
There have been 2 explosions at the airport. Building is being evacuated. Don’t come to the airport area.
— Brussels Airport (@BrusselsAirport) March 22, 2016
Meanwhile, the airport was evacuated and all airport operations as well as public transport services in Brussels were suspended. The rail traffic was also suspended to the airport which served over 23 million passengers a year.
“We can confirm that there have been two explosions in the departure hall. We called the emergency services on the ground – they [are] now provid[ing] first aid to the injured,” the spokeswoman for Brussels Airport Anke Fransen said.
The British Prime Minister David Cameron in a twitter message expressed deep sorrow and concerns over the Brussels airport blasts and assured full cooperation whatever required.
I am shocked and concerned by the events in Brussels. We will do everything we can to help.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) March 22, 2016
Explosion at Metro station near EU buildings, 10 killed
Separately less than an hour after Brussels airport explosions, another blast occurred at the Maelbeek Metro Station near a number of European Union buildings in Brussels which killed at least 10 people and eventually led to the closure of all metro stations in the Belgium’s Capital.
pics of Malbeek Metro station blast casualties Brussels pic.twitter.com/RKu8ejfzeT
— Khalid Khan™ (@khalidkhan787) March 22, 2016
Security level raised to highest level in Belgium
The Belgium Interior Minister Jan Jambon’s spokesman said that the security level had been raised to its highest level across the country after deadly explosions.
All EU institutions at alert level, meetings cancelled
The European Commission Vice-President for the EU Budget and Human Resources Kristalina Georgieva said that all EU institutions had been put on alert level and meetings had been cancelled.
Kristalina Georgieva also asked the EU staff to remain indoors or stay at home after ‘terrible events in Brussels.’
Following situation in Brussels. EU institutions working together to ensure security of staff& premises.Please stay home or inside buildings
— Kristalina Georgieva (@KGeorgievaEU) March 22, 2016
All EU institutions are at alert level ORANGE – all meetings on premises and outside cancelled, access only for staff with badges
— Kristalina Georgieva (@KGeorgievaEU) March 22, 2016
Nawaz Sharif strongly condemns Brussels explosions
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the bomb explosions in Brussels and regretted the loss of precious lives.
“Terrorism is not a threat to any single country or nation but to the whole humanity,” Sharif said in a statement.
The prime minister said that all the international leaders must put up joint resistance against the menace of terrorism and save our future generations.
