In the latest on the Brussels attack, the Belgian police officials have issued a wanted notice for a suspect, after the twin attacks at Brussels’ main airport, Zaventem, and a metro station left more than 30 people dead and numerous injured. About 250 people are reported to be severely injured in the incident.
The man who has been regarded as suspicious was reportedly seen walking, along with two other suspects, soon before the explosions created havoc at the Zaventem airport. The other two men couldn’t survive and died immediately after detonating their suicide devices, a Belgian prosecutor said in his statement to the media. The explosions took place quickly, in successions, soon after 08:00am local time (07:00 GMT), with some victims reportedly struck by the second blast as they tried to escape the first massive one.
Image: AFP via BBC
Meanwhile, the nation has been grief-stricken. Anti-terror raids and strikes have taken place all over the nation. Commented a US Counterterrorism official, “The Belgians have been sitting on a ticking time bomb,” referring to the sheer number of expatriates who have joined the ISIS in Iraq and Syria and may have returned home.
Yet, many other eyewitnesses have called upon their fellow citizens to not remain indoors for protection. They have urged the people of Belgium to go out and continue with their lives to prove to the perpetrators that they are not afraid. Despite this, Belgian authorities took immediate incumbency measures and closed down all metro stations and evacuated the airports soon after the multiple blasts ripped through the airport and metro station. Most public spaces have been cleared; in fact, public offices were advised to shut down as well after the National Pensions Office was found to be hosting two suspicious packages. Moreover, the staff of an important nuclear facility in the east Belgian city of Tihange was told to disperse, save for the essential officials.
The Islamic State (IS) have claimed the responsibility for the attacks. A clip statement from the group online stated that the locations for the blasts had been “carefully selected” and further warned of much worse to come for “Crusader states allied against the State”.
The US Department of State has ‘urged’ it’s citizens of “potential risks” of travelling to European continent. Security arrangements have been tightened all over after the incident.
The blasts came just days after the arrest of Salah Abdeslam, one of the prime suspects in last year’s Paris attacks, which were also taken up by the IS.
“This is a day of tragedy, a black day,” Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said, adding, “I would like to call on everyone to show calmness and solidarity.” Ever since, the nation has raised its terrorism alert to the highest level and three days of strict national mourning have been proclaimed. World leaders have condemned these brutal killings and have sent heartfelt condolences and messages of solidarity in their support.
With inputs from Khushi Desai
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