34 killed in multiple bomb attacks in Brussels

As many as 34 people were reported killed and scores of others injured in what is believed to be terrorist attacks at Brussels’ international airport and city metro station.

Local police reported that two explosions hit the Zaventem airport at about 07:00 GMT. Another explosion rocked the Maelbeek metro station about an hour later.

Prime Minister Charles Michel made a public statement calling the attacks “blind, violent and cowardly.”

He said this was a “tragic moment in our country’s history. I would like to call on everyone to show calmness and solidarity”

Two explosions hit Zaventem airport at about 07:00 GMT and another struck Maelbeek metro station an hour later.

On social media, Brussels’ transport officials tweeted there were 15 people killed at Maelbeek. The BBC reported that up to 13 are believed to have died in the airport attack. By 9:30 a.m. EST, Reuters reported that a total of 34 have been reported killed.

No organization had claimed responsibility for the attacks at the time, since then the Islamic State has claimed responsibility.

However, the attacks came four days following the arrest in Brussels of Salah Abdelsam, one of the main fugitives in the Paris attacks.

Belgium has now raised its terror threat to its highest level.