The avenue in front of the blast-hit Maalbeek railway station is blocked by police for investigation in Brussels, capital of Belgium, March 22, 2016. The death toll has risen to 34 in the deadly blasts in Brussels on Tuesday morning, according to the latest figures. (Xinhua/Ye Pingfan)
Tuesday marked a tragic day for Europe's heart -- Brussels, a city that boasts the capital of the European Union. Multiple deadly bomb attacks for which the Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility hit Brussels Tuesday morning at its airport and a metro station close to EU institutions, killing at least 34 people and injuring 170 more.
THREE EXPLOSIONS
Two explosions occurred at the Brussels airport's departure hall approximately at 8 a.m. local time (0700GMT), causing at least 14 deaths. A third deactivated bomb was found during a search of the terminal building later the day.
"There was a small explosion, then a big one," Zach Muzun, a Belgian citizen, told Xinhua. It took the police and airport staffs around 30 minutes to make preliminary clearance, he said. "When we went out...There was blood everywhere."
The Brussels airport soon announced closure, with flights suspended and passengers evacuated. Several countries have also announced cancellation of flights to Brussels.
Belgian federal prosecutor said the explosions at Brussels airport were likely suicide attacks.
Attackers opened fire inside the airport before several of them detonated their explosive belts, IS said in a statement.
Around one hour after the airport explosions, another blast was reported at the Maelbeek metro station which is within hundreds of meters from the EU complex.
"The metro train I boarded stopped halfway while heading from Arts-Loi to Maelbeek at around 9:10 a.m.", said Han Shuang, a Belgian resident. The passengers were evacuated from the suspended train and had to walk on the track in darkness towards the Arts-Loi direction to get out of the station. Han said she smelt a strong smell of burnt metal.
"I saw a body on the ground with a yellow cover while walking past the Maelbeek station," she said, "It is too horrible."
At least 20 people died in the metro attack with another 106 people injured, of whom 17 were reported to be in critical condition.
Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon has declared three days of national mourning.
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel called it a "black day" for his country.
