Three Deadly Explosions Rock Brussels; 31 Dead; Scores Injured; City in Lockdown

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Category: World News - Europe
Published on Tuesday, 22 March 2016 07:30
Written by Janet Walker

Three catastrophic blasts in two different locations have exploded across Brussels, Belgium, the capital city, during the morning commute killing at least 31, including the airport suicide bomber, and leaving dozens wounded.

 Zavtenem International Airport, where the first of two bombs ripped through the departure section, toppled cement barriers and collapsed the ceiling with the intensity of the blasts. Shards of glass and debris became projectiles with the force of the blast.

Reports indicate an AK-47 was found at the scene, next to an undetonated bomb belt and presumably the remains of one of the terrorists. Witnesses have described two men shouting and firing shots inside the departures before the bombs exploded.

Video from the scene posted on social media show a chaotic scene with grey smoke billowing from the airport entrance and people running to escape.

Maelbeek Metro station was the scene of the second blast. From all reports, the second blast occurred within an hour of the 7:00am airport blast. Nearing 8:00am GMT, while the news was filtering through the capital city of the extensive damage and catastrophic injury at the airport, commuters were hit with a third explosion.

According to preliminary reports in Belgium media 20 people were killed in the Maelbeek bombing.

The Islamic State Terrorist organization has yet to claim responsibility for the attacks.

Brussels, after the capture of Paris Terrorist Salah Abdeslam Friday, has elevated the Terror Alert to level 4, the highest ever, and indicates an attack is imminent. Belgium borders remain closed.

Nations across Europe, including the UK, France and Germany, have followed and since elevated the terror threat warnings to the highest level.

American Embassy workers have been ordered by the State Department to shelter in place until further notice.

Images owned by various European Media Agencies, including the Telegraph UK and Joe.co.uk. used with permission.

This is a developing story.

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