Brussels: As many as 13 people died in explosions at Brussels airport on Tuesday, Belgian public broadcaster VRT said. Thirty five people were also wounded and taken to the hospital, VRT said.
The Belgian public broadcaster also said that Brussels airport bomb was suicide attack.
Belgian news agency Belga said shots were fired and there were shouts in Arabic shortly before the explosions at the airport.
The blasts occurred four days after the arrest in Brussels of a suspected participant in November militant attacks in Paris that killed 130 people. Belgian police had been on alert for any reprisal action.
Shortly after twin blasts at the airport, an explosion was reported at the metro station in Brussels which is close to EU institutions. Metro operator STIB announced on Twitter that the metro was closing.
The foreign ministry said there no reports of any Indian casualties in explosiobs at the airport. “Have spoken to our Ambassador, no reports of any Indian casualties,” MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
Jet Airways, which operates flights to the Belgian capital, also issued a statement saying all its staff members are safe. “Making all efforts to confirm status of all staff and guests. Preliminary info says the Jet Airways aircraft in Brussels safe,” the airline said.
Social media showed pictures of smoke rising from the departure hall of the airport where windows had been shattered by the blasts. Passengers were seen running away down a slipway.
Sky News television’s Alex Rossi, at the scene, said he heard two “very, very loud explosions”.
Video showed devastation inside the departure hall with items scattered across the floor.
Belgian media said rail traffic to the airport was suspended.