Brussels under attack: 20 dead as further bomb blast hits Metro station

An “enormous” rush-hour explosion hit a Metro station close to EU Buildings in Brussels, shortly after two blasts killed up to 20 people in Brussels airport. Footage of the blast at Maalbeek station showed black smoke pouring from the entrance. Passengers were evacuated from trains in the tunnels around Maalbeek. Outside the station, people were being moved on stretchers and others were seen with facial injuries. The blast came about 79 minutes after at least one apparent suicide bomber struck at a check-in desk in the departures terminal at Brussels’ airport, killing 14 people.

It was panic everywhere. There were a lot of people in the metro.

Alexandre Brans

Pierre Meys, a spokesman for the Brussels fire brigade, told AFP: “Most of the wounded have been evacuated. The scene is rather chaotic." Alexandre Brans, who was wiping blood from his face, said: "The metro was leaving Maalbeek station when there was a really loud explosion.” The Metro system was swiftly shut down, as all flights into and out of the airport were also grounded. Belgium has been at the heart of the investigation into the Paris terror attacks, culminating last week with the arrest of key suspect Salah Abdeslam.

We felt a blast of air and my ears popped shortly after leaving Schuman station. The Metro stopped immediately.

Evan Lamos on Twitter

Brussels Metro