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On the morning of 22 March 2016, three explosions occurred in [[Belgium]]: two at [[Brussels Airport]] in [[Zaventem]] and one at [[Maelbeek/Maalbeek metro station|Maelbeek metro station]] in [[Brussels]]. In these attacks, 31 people were killed and 250 others were injured, resulting in three days of national mourning in Belgium. An assault rifle and a third bomb were found in a search of the airport. The [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]] (ISIL) claimed responsibility for the attacks. It was the deadliest act of terrorism to occur on Belgian soil.<!-- cited within article -->
On the morning of 22 March 2016, three explosions occurred in [[Belgium]]: two at [[Brussels Airport]] in [[Zaventem]] and one at [[Maelbeek/Maalbeek metro station|Maelbeek metro station]] in [[Brussels]]. In these attacks, 31 people were killed and 250 others were injured, resulting in three days of national mourning in Belgium. An assault rifle and a third bomb were found in a search of the airport. The [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]] (ISIL) claimed responsibility for the attacks. It is the deadliest act of terrorism to occur on Belgian soil.<!-- cited within article -->


== Background ==
== Background ==

Revision as of 20:13, 22 March 2016

2016 Brussels bombings
Location of the incidents in the Brussels area
LocationBrussels Airport in Zaventem and Maelbeek metro station in Brussels, Belgium
Coordinates50°54′05″N 4°29′04″E / 50.901389°N 4.484444°E / 50.901389; 4.484444 ("Brussels Airport) (airport)
50°50′35″N 4°22′48″E / 50.843190°N 4.380025°E / 50.843190; 4.380025 ("Maelbeek metro station) (metro station)
Date22 March 2016
c. 08:00–09:11 (UTC+1)
TargetCivilians, transport hubs
Attack type
Suicide attack, mass murder, bomb attack
WeaponsAK-47 rifle, nail bomb, suicide vests, TATP explosive
Deaths31
Injured250
Perpetrators Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant[1]
No. of participants
3+

On the morning of 22 March 2016, three explosions occurred in Belgium: two at Brussels Airport in Zaventem and one at Maelbeek metro station in Brussels. In these attacks, 31 people were killed and 250 others were injured, resulting in three days of national mourning in Belgium. An assault rifle and a third bomb were found in a search of the airport. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) claimed responsibility for the attacks. It is the deadliest act of terrorism to occur on Belgian soil.

Background

Belgium is an active participant in the ongoing military intervention against ISIL in Iraq.[2] Belgium also has the highest number per capita of foreign fighters in Syria, with nearly 500 having left for Syria and Iraq as of 2016.[3] The fighters are mostly the descendants of immigrants. CNN has called Belgium a "hotbed of jihadist ideology",[4] while The Wall Street Journal has called Belgium a "jihadist-recruiting hub".[5]

Before the bombings, several Islamist terrorist attacks had originated from Belgium, and a number of counter-terrorist operations had been carried out there. In May 2014, a gunman with ties to the war in Syria attacked the Jewish Museum of Belgium, killing four.[6][7][8][9] In January 2015, anti-terrorist operations, conducted against a group thought to be planning a second Charlie Hebdo shooting, included actions in Brussels and Zaventem. The operation resulted in the deaths of two suspects.[10][11] In August 2015, a suspected terrorist committed a shooting and stabbing attack aboard a Thalys train in Brussels, before being subdued by passengers.[12]

The assailants involved in the Islamist November 2015 Paris attacks were based in Molenbeek, and the city of Brussels was locked down for five days to search for suspects. On 18 March 2016, Salah Abdeslam, a suspected accomplice in the aforementioned Paris attacks, was captured in two anti-terrorist raids in Molenbeek that killed another suspect and injured two others. At least one other suspect remains at large.[13][14][15][16]

Locations of the bombings

Brussels Airport

Still from CCTV footage showing three people suspected of the bombing of the airport

There were two explosions in the Brussels Airport international departure hall shortly after 08:00 local time;[17] one near the American Airlines and Brussels Airlines check-in desks and the other next to a Starbucks coffee shop.[18] The explosion shattered windows and significant damage was reported inside the building.[18][19]

It was reported that shots were fired and shouts in Arabic were heard before the explosions occurred.[18][20] An airport worker said he "heard someone yelling in Arabic before the blasts".[21][22] An assault rifle and a third bomb were found in a search of the airport. The bomb was later destroyed in a controlled explosion. Belgium's federal prosecutor confirmed that the explosions with nail bombs were carried out by a suicide bomber.[18] CCTV footage at the airport showed three men who the police believe were responsible for the bombings there; two of the men are believed to be deceased from suicide bombings, while the third is believed to be on the run.[18][23]

After the attack, the airport was closed, and all departures and rail transport to the airport were cancelled.[24][25] According to the airport manager, the airport will remain closed until Thursday. All inbound flights were either cancelled or diverted to nearby airports including Brussels Charleroi, Ostend-Bruges International Airport and Schiphol in Amsterdam.[26] The Belgian government put the country onto its highest national threat level.[17][18][27]

Maelbeek/Maalbeek metro station

An explosion took place at 09:11 CET in the middle carriage of a three-carriage train near the European Commission headquarters complex in the centre of Brussels, about seven miles from Brussels Airport.[18][23][25][28][29] The train was travelling between the Maelbeek/Maalbeek and Schuman metro stations.[30][31] The Brussels Metro was subsequently shut down.[18][32] At 09:27, the Brussels Metro system was closed.[25]

Victims

Collectively, 31 people were killed and 250 others were injured in the bombings. Eleven died at Brussels Airport, while the remaining 20 died at the metro station.[18]

Nationality
Nationality Deaths Wounded Total Ref.
 United States 0 9+ 9+ [33]
 United Kingdom 0 2+ 2+ [34]
 Turkey 0 1+ 1+ [35]
Total 31 250 281

Perpetrators

Two as-of-yet unidentified men carried out suicide bombings at Brussels Airport. A third man seen with them in airport security footage is currently at large.[18][23]

Hours after the attacks, police raided a home in Schaarbeek, a northern suburb of Brussels, where they found a nail bomb, chemicals, and an ISIL flag.[18] One man was taken into custody, though it is unknown if he is the third suspect sought by police.[36]

Aftermath

Belgium

Belgium authorities have been criticized for their failure to step up security after the police raids that captured Salah Abdeslam, and for failing to act to shut down other soft targets after the initial airport bombing.[citation needed] Many changes were enacted as the result of the attack, which was Belgium's worst terror attack to date since World War II.[37]

Authorities temporarily halted all air traffic to the airport and evacuated the terminal buildings.[17][18][38][39] The Berlaymont building, which is located near the Maelbeek station and houses the headquarters of the European Commission, was subsequently placed into lockdown.[18] The Belgian police executed controlled explosions of suspicious objects around Maelbeek station, according to media reports.[40]

All public transport in the Belgian capital was shut down as a result of the attacks.[41][42] Brussels-North, Brussels-Central and Brussels-South stations were evacuated and closed, and all Eurostar trains to Brussels Midi station were suspended. All trains from Paris to Brussels were also cancelled.[18] According to Belgian broadcaster VRT, all taxis in Brussels transported passengers free of charge for the time of the public transportation lockdown.[43] Paris's Gare du Nord, which has services to Brussels, was also temporarily closed.[24]

Belgium's Interior Ministry announced that the terror alert level in the country would be raised to the highest level following the attacks.[44] The Belgian government warned that possible perpetrators might still be at large and urged citizens to use social media before trying to reach friends and family via telephone services.[43]

Temporary border controls comprising vehicle searches were implemented by Belgian and French authorities at some major border crossings exiting Belgium into France. Contrary to some media reports, the border was not closed.[45][46]

The Belgian government announced three days of mourning nationwide.[47]

Other countries

See also: Reactions to the 2016 Brussels bombings
President of the United States Barack Obama speaking on the phone with Belgium's Prime Minister Charles Michel after the March 22, 2016 attacks in Brussels in a sensitive compartmented information facility

Many world leaders voiced their condemnation of the attacks. A number of countries and their leaders, including Brazil, Greece, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States, expressed thoughts and condolences in the wake of the attacks.

Shortly after the news of explosions, Israel issued a temporary ban on all inbound flights from Europe. The ban is in place from 10:30 am until midnight Israel time. The ban does not affect outgoing flights.[48]

Additional police have been deployed to the Belgian border of the Netherlands.[49] Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte stated that, though there is no imminent threat of terrorism to the Netherlands,[50] there will be additional police at the four main train stations and the border train stations, the general border with Belgium and at the Binnenhof.[51] Security was increased at Schiphol Airport.[52]

Officials at the U.S. Embassy in Brussels issued a notice in which they warned of the possibility of more attacks occurring and recommended "sheltering in place and avoiding all public transportation" for Belgian citizens.[53]

The French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve indicated France will increase the presence of security forces at their borders, and enforce the carrying of identity cards on public transport.[54]

In the United Kingdom, security was increased at London transport hubs, as well as Manchester Airport.[31] The Prime Minister, David Cameron, chaired a meeting of the government's COBRA emergency committee to discuss the situation.[36] The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said that the Belgian authorities are currently advising against travel to Brussels.[55][56]

In Germany, authorities strengthened security at major traffic junctions.[43]

The Prime Minister of Malta, Joseph Muscat, announced that while there is no known threat in his country, security was being increased as a precaution.[57]

In Denmark, the police strengthened security at Copenhagen Airport and Aalborg Airport.[58][59]

See also

References

  1. ^ Dearden, Lizzie (22 March 2016). "Isis supporters claim group responsible for Brussels attacks: 'We have come to you with slaughter'". The Independent. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  2. ^ "Iraq: Danes send attack planes". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  3. ^ "Belgium: Europe's front line in the war on terror". CNN. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference cnn_hotbed was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "How Belgium Became a Jihadist-Recruiting Hub". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  6. ^ Casert, Raf (25 May 2014). "Belgium ramps up security for lone suspect in Jewish Museum attack". The Globe and the Mail. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  7. ^ "Fusillade au Musée juif de Bruxelles: un Français arrêté". Le Soir. 1 June 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  8. ^ "Vierde slachtoffer aanslag Joods museum overleden". De Morgen. 6 June 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  9. ^ "Brussels Jewish Museum killings: Man held in Marseille". BBC News. 1 June 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  10. ^ "Belgian anti-terror raid in Verviers 'leaves two dead'". BBC News. 15 January 2015.
  11. ^ "Belgian counterterrorism raid in Verviers leaves 2 dead, report says". CBC News. 15 January 2015.
  12. ^ "France train shooting: Three hurt and man arrested". BBC News. 22 August 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  13. ^ "Shots in Brussels raid tied to Paris attacks". CNN. 15 March 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  14. ^ "Gunfire in Brussels raid on 'Paris attacks suspects'". BBC News. 15 March 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  15. ^ "Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam shot, arrested in Brussels raid". Russia Today. 18 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  16. ^ "Paris attacks: Salah Abdeslam 'worth his weight in gold'". BBC News. 21 March 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
  17. ^ a b c "Brussels Zaventem airport and metro explosions 'kill at least 13'". BBC. 22 March 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Matthew Weaver; Haroon Siddique; Raya Jalabi (22 March 2016). "Brussels Airport explosions – live updates". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  19. ^ "Explosion at Brussels Airport took place near American Airlines desk – reports". RT International.
  20. ^ "Brussels explosions: Many dead in airport and metro terror attacks". BBC News. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  21. ^ Natalia Drozdiak; Gabriele Steinhauser (22 March 2016). "Brussels Rocked by Terrorist Attacks, Killing at Least 27 People". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  22. ^ Thomson Reuters Foundation. "Attacks on Brussels airport, metro station kill around 20 - Belgian media". Retrieved 22 March 2016. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  23. ^ a b c Bill Chappell (22 March 2016). "Terrorist Bombings Strike Brussels: What We Know". NPR. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  24. ^ a b "Brussels explosions: Full list of Zaventem airport diverted, cancelled and arrived flights". International Business Times UK. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  25. ^ a b c Lizzie Dearden (22 March 2016). "Brussels attacks timeline: How bombings unfolded at airport and Metro station". The Independent. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  26. ^ "Vluchten naar Brussel wijken uit naar Schiphol". NU.
  27. ^ "Several dead in Brussels airport explosions". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  28. ^ @jfbxl (22 March 2016). "Fumée métro maelbeeck" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  29. ^ @lesoir (22 March 2016). "Evacuation des passagers entre la station Arts-Loi et Maelbeek" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  30. ^ hrt. "Vrees voor doden bij explosie in metrostation Maalbeek". De Standaard.
  31. ^ a b "Brussels attacks: Latest updates - BBC News". BBC.
  32. ^ @STIBMIVB (22 March 2016). "All metro stations are closing" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  33. ^ "At least 9 Americans wounded in Belgium attacks, officials say". Fox News. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  34. ^ Raven, David. "Two Brits injured in Brussels terror attacks". The Daily Mirror. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  35. ^ "EUROPE - One Turk wounded in Brussels attack". Hürriyet Daily News. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  36. ^ a b Ashley Cowburn; Lizzie Dearden; Samuel Osborne (22 March 2016). "Brussels attacks live updates: ISIL claims responsibility for bombings that have killed 31 as police launch raids". Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  37. ^ James, Neuger; Stearns, Jonathan. "Belgium's Worst Terror Attack Ever Leaves 31 Dead in Brussels". Bloomberg Business. Bloomberg Business. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  38. ^ @BrusselsAirport (22 March 2016). "There have been 2 explosions at the airport. Building is being evacuated. Don't come to the airport area" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  39. ^ @BrusselsAirport (22 March 2016). "Don't come to the airport – airport is being evacuated. Avoid the airport area. Flights have been cancelled" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  40. ^ "Explosionen in Brüssel - was bisher bekannt ist" (in German). Tagesschau. 22 March 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2016. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  41. ^ "Live: Belgium terror threat raised to highest level". ABC News. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  42. ^ @STIBMIVB (22 March 2016). "Bus, tram and metro shut down" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  43. ^ a b c "Liveblog zu Attentaten in Brüssel" (in German). Tagesschau. 22 March 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2016. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  44. ^ "Deadly explosions rock Brussels Airport". CBS News. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  45. ^ Absalon, Julien (22 March 2016). "Attentats à Bruxelles : des contrôles renforcés à la frontière franco-belge". RTL. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  46. ^ Launay, François (22 March 2016). "Attentats à Bruxelles: A la frontière franco-belge, les contrôles sont ciblés". 20 Minutes. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  47. ^ "Belgium to Begin 3 Days of National Mourning". The New York Times. 22 March 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  48. ^ "Israel Bans Incoming Flights from Europe (Temporarily)". Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  49. ^ "Brussels Blasts Knock Air Travel EU-Wide". Sky News. 22 March 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  50. ^ "Rutte opnieuw: 'Wij zijn met meer'". Telegraaf.
  51. ^ "Rutte: aanslagen Brussel aanval op vrijheid en veiligheid". nos.nl. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  52. ^ "Schiphol verscherpt maatregelen". Telegraaf (in Dutch). Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  53. ^ Michael Isikoff (22 March 2016). "U.S. officials advise to be on alert for follow-up attacks in Brussels — no specific warning ahead of Tuesday's bombings". Yahoo! News. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  54. ^ @SkyNews (22 March 2016). "French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve talks French response to #Maelbeek and #Zaventem attacks" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  55. ^ James Landale [@@BBCJLandale] (22 March 2016). "Breaking: No10 says FCO is changing travel advice to warn people against all but essential travel to Brussels" (Tweet). Retrieved 22 March 2016 – via Twitter.
  56. ^ "Foreign travel advice - Belgium". Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  57. ^ "Brussels blasts – Malta steps up security as a precaution". Times of Malta. 22 March 2016. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016.
  58. ^ Nordjyllands Politi (22 March 2016). "Nordjyllands Politi følger situationen i Bruxelles tæt". Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  59. ^ Københavns Politi (22 March 2016). "Vi er opmærksomme på det der er sket i Bruxelles. Der..." Twitter. Retrieved 22 March 2016.

External links

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