At Least 26 Dead, Dozens Injured In Brussels Explosions
BRUSSELS — Two explosions ripped through Brussels airport Tuesday, March 22 during the morning rush hour as hundreds of passengers were trying to check in, according to the Associated Press. An explosion has also been reported at a Brussels metro station.
Belgian federal prosecutor Frederic Van Leeuw is calling all three explosions “terrorist attacks,” with at least one of them involving a suicide bomber.
Belgian media reported at least 13 dead and dozens were injured in the airport blasts. Those reports have varied between 11 and 13 dead as officials assess the situation. Fifteen deaths and 55 injuries are reported in the metro station explosion.
Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly has offices near the Maalbeek Station where the explosion took place, but issued a statement reporting no personnel injured:
“Following the explosions reported in Brussels this morning, Lilly Global Security has confirmed that all Lilly and Elanco employees travelling in and through Brussels have been accounted for and are safe. There is no known threat to Lilly sites in Belgium. Importantly, Lilly has protocols in place to deal with any sort of emergency or crisis events.“
All trams, buses and metros have been shut down in Brussels.
The explosions happened only days after the prime suspect in the Paris attacks Salah Abdeslam was arrested in Brussels.
Belgium’s terror level has been moved to its maximum.
France’s top security official said the country is reinforcing security at airports, train stations and metros after Tuesday’s attacks in Brussels.
Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said France immediately increased its vigilance after the attacks. France has been on highest alert since the Nov. 13 attacks in Paris that left 130 dead.
Source: WTHR