At least 17 dead as twin explosions rock Brussels airport

March 22, 2016 13:41

The Belgian government has confirmed there are casualties but has given no numbers yet. However, media reports have put the figure at around 17 dead.

The cause of the explosions is unknown. The airport is being evacuated and has been closed to flights.

The blasts come four days after the capture in Brussels of Salah Abdeslam, the main suspect in the jihadist attacks in Paris on 13 November 2015.

Emergency services are clearing the airport completely. Belgium's Het Laatste Nieuws reports that more bombs have been found.

Images on social media showed smoke rising from one of the buildings, amid reports of panic as people fled the airport.

Rail transport to the facility has been halted and people have been told not to come to the airport.

Other reports say at least one of the explosions was close to the American Airlines check-in area but this has not been confirmed.

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