Brussels affected in turn by the attacks. The brutal awakening of the European capital (Update)
(B2) Everyone expected it a little. The Belgian authorities feared an attack similar to that of November 13 in Paris, at several points in Brussels. It takes place on March 22 in the morning, targeting the major objectives of the European capital: its airport, its metro in the heart of the European district... (read: It is Europe that we wanted to aim for). In all, 34 dead and about 230 injured.
Explosions at Zaventem airport
In the departures hall of Brussels national airport (Zaventem), a first explosion occurs. It's not yet 8 o'clock. A few minutes later, a second. The false ceiling collapses. At this time when a large part of the day's departures are concentrated, the goal is to kill. The first report established by the federal prosecutor's office, shortly after, speaks of several dead and at least 25 wounded. The second balance sheet is 14 dead and 106 wounded. The two explosions (1) were caused by several suicide bombers.
The European district touched in the heart
News of the bombing at the airport was not yet dissipated when another explosion was reported. This time right in the center of Brussels. At 9:11 a.m., just after rush hour, an explosion was heard in the Maelbeek metro, rue de la Loi, one of the major stations in the European district. The smoke clears, the metro is evacuated, the buses are diverted. Very quickly, the entire European quarter was cordoned off. A bomb exploded, ripping open a stationary metro in the station.
Maelbeek stop #brussels pic.twitter.com/JmMgLFgcvL
— Pauline Armandet (@PaulineArmandet) March 22, 2016
A heavier toll in the metro than in Zaventem
The balance sheet is also important and could worsen very quickly. The first assessment, which reports about ten dead and fifty wounded, is very quickly raised: 20 dead, and about 130 injured, including 17 in very serious condition and 23 seriously, according to Yvan Mayeur the mayor of Brussels. The Thon International Hotel, located nearby, was requisitioned to accommodate the first wounded.
Thon hotel now... pic.twitter.com/7XUADy05vy
— Mercedes Sanchez (@Emesve) March 22, 2016
Lockdown in Brussels
Immediately triggered, in addition to the disaster plan, to come to the aid of the victims but also an emergency attack plan. An emergency telephone number is set up, that of the crisis cell: 1771, very quickly saturated to the point that the authorities invite everyone to contact it only if urgent.
#Brussels #Explosions Crisis center request: everyone is asked to stay where they are: schools, businesses, homes @IPBrussels
— ZPZ PolBru (@zpz_polbru) March 22, 2016
The capital's road tunnels are closed to traffic, as well as all transport that has been interrupted. On social networks, the police and the crisis center call on everyone to stay at home. Students are confined to their schools.
what we feared
« What we feared has come true — declares Prime Minister Charles Michel immediately after a first crisis meeting —. Our fellow citizens have been struck by violent and cowardly indiscriminate attacks. Our first thoughts are for the victims. At the end of the day, during a press conference, he added: Freedom was struck this morning in Brussels, as it had been in Paris, Madrid or London. It is a common fight, without borders, determined ».
A terrorist attack confirms the prosecution
The Federal Prosecutor's Office officially confirmed on Tuesday (March 22) that " the three explosions this morning, two at Zaventem airport and one in the Maelbeek metro station, are terrorist attacks ". At the airport, he said, it took some time to secure the place. Luggage was lying around and it was necessary to ensure their safety. Priority was given to the treatment of the wounded. »
An investigating judge seized
A " investigating judge specializing in terrorism was seized added the federal prosecutor. " Everything is implemented. The security forces look at all the camera images to trace the possible perpetrators, (...) see if there are no other fugitives. »
Islamic State claims
The attack was claimed shortly after by the organization of the Islamic State. Several searches and actions by the police (and demining) took place during the day in different municipalities of Brussels, in Etterbeek and Schaerbeck.
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde & Johanna Bouquet)
Read also:
- Brussels attacks. Victims of various nationalities (Maj4)
- Faced with the threat of the Islamic State, a minute of silence and then what?
- Brussels, wounded city. The end of a certain recklessness
- A Europe in Belgian colors tonight
- Mobilization of the Belgian defense after the attacks
- United Europe. An attack on democratic values and tolerance
- Alert 4 on Brussels. Crisis meetings all over Europe
- We wanted to target Europe! (Shift)
(1) A third explosion took place shortly afterwards, which is unrelated to a terrorist attack. It was the police who blew up a suspicious piece of luggage.
