Blasts, blood and chaos as terror visits Brussels

A string of explosions ripped through Brussels airport and a city metro station on Tuesday,in which more than 20 people have been killed in apparently coordinated strikes that came days after the prime suspect in the November Paris attacks was arrested in the city. Two explosions aimed the main hall of Zaventem Airport around 8:00am, with a third hitting the Maalbeek metro station near the European Union’s main buildings while commuters were making their way to work in rush hour. Authorities suspect the involvement of a suicide attacker. A witness said he heard shouts in Arabic shortly before two blasts struck the packed airport departure lounge. Pictures on social media showed smoke rising from the terminal building through shattered windows and passengers fleeing down a slipway, some still hauling their bags. The explosions triggered a transport shutdown in the city that is home to the headquarters of both the EU and Nato. Flights were halted with metro, tram and bus services all suspended. “These attacks mark another low by the terrorists in the service of hatred and violence,” said EU President Donald Tusk.