Brussels Zavantem Airport has been evacuated after two explosions rocked the building just before 8am.
Up to eleven people are feared dead and more than 30 are injured after the explosion ripped through an area near the American Airlines check-in desk, with Belgian state media describing it as a ‘suicide attack’.
A video posted on Twitter by 124News Defense Correspondent security consultant Anna Ahronheim shows terrified travellers, including children, fleeing the airport amid the chaos.
#BREAKING: Two loud explosions at #Zaventem airport in #Brussels pic.twitter.com/JFw9RGLjnh
— Anna Ahronheim (@AAhronheim) March 22, 2016
Meanwhile the Belgian news agency Belga is reporting that witnesses saw shots being fired and claimed that they heard Arabic shouted before the blasts.
There have been 2 explosions at the airport. Building is being evacuated. Don’t come to the airport area.
— Brussels Airport (@BrusselsAirport) March 22, 2016
The airport’s official Twitter account tweeted: “Don’t come to the airport – airport is being evacuated. Avoid the airport area. Flights have been cancelled,”
Aer Lingus have suspended all operations to Brussels for the time being.
Following an incident at #Brussels #Zavantem, EI630 has diverted to AMS, and airport operations at @BrusselsAirport have been suspended.
— Aer Lingus (@AerLingus) March 22, 2016
More as we have it.
If you have concerns about a loved one in Brussels, contact the Irish Embassy: +32 (0)2 282 34 00.
Main image: Twitter.com/AAhronheim
