BRUSSELS-A blast at the Maalbeek metro station in Brussels has killed at least 10 people according to local police, as cited by the Russian TASS news agency. The explosion took place less than an hour after a deadly bombing in a Brussels’ airport, which killed at least 17 people.
An AP reporter said he say a number of people with facial injuries following the explosion at the Maalbeek metro station. Alexandre Brans, who was wiping blood from his face, said that he saw at least two people being carried away on stretchers.
“The metro was leaving Maelbeek station when there was a really loud explosion. It was panic everywhere. There were a lot of people in the metro,” he said.
Large amounts of smoke have been seen coming out of the metro station in the Belgian capital. Brussels’ transport authority says all metro stations in the city have been closed, Reuters reported.
Minutes after the blast at Maalbeek, a second explosion is reported to have taken place at the near-by Schuman metro station. Images on social media have shown passengers being evacuated from inside the metro and walking along the train tracks.
Staff working at the EU commission has also been told to stay indoors.
Belgian authorities have raised the security alert to the highest level following blasts at the Zaventem Airport and Maalbeek Metro station.
The Maalbeek station is also near a number of important EU buildings such as Berlaymont building, which houses the EU Commission and the Council of the European Union.
Brussels’ Airport Blasts Claim 17 Lives Wound dozens
According to RT, 17 people have reportedly been killed and dozens wounded after two blasts rocked Brussels’ Zaventem airport.
Brussels police have told Sputnik that Zaventem’s great hall was targeted in the blast, but they couldn’t confirm the number of the victims in the attack.
“There was an explosion, but we cannot say more,” a police spokesperson said.
A suicide bomber was responsible for one of the blasts, Belgian broadcaster VRT said. Three suicide belts packed with explosives have been found at the Brussels airport by police, Belgian local TV reported.
H.M