A lockdown order seized Brussels Tuesday after deadly bombings targeting the city’s airport and subway system killed at least 31 people and left countless others injured, according to local media.
At Brussels’ Zaventem airport, two explosions went off inside its departure hall around 8 a.m. local time. About an hour later, blasts were reported at Maelbeek metro — a subway station located near the European Parliament in the Belgium capital.
WARNING: Photos may be graphic to some readers
All flights were cancelled after explosions rocked Brussels’ airport on March 22, 2016. (Photo: Ketevan Kardava/ Georgian Public Broadcaster/AP via The Canadian Press)
A police officer directs passengers in a smoke filled terminal. (Photo: Ketevan Kardava/ Georgian Public Broadcaster/AP via The Canadian Press)
An unidentified traveler lies on the ground after explosions rock Zaventem airport. (Photo: Ralph Usbeck/Association Press via The Canadian Press)
A wounded man lays on the ground in Brussels’ airport. (Photo: Ketevan Kardava/ Georgian Public Broadcaster/AP via The Canadian Press)
A man lies injured on the floor after explosions ripped through the departure hall Tuesday morning. (Photo: Ketevan Kardava/ Georgian Public Broadcaster/AP via The Canadian Press)
Two wounded women sit in Zaventem airport after bombings went off inside the building. (Photo: Ketevan Kardava/ Georgian Public Broadcaster/AP via The Canadian Press)
Evacuated passengers stand outside Zaventem Bruxelles International Airport. (Photo: Sylvain Lefevre/Getty Images)
Windows were blown out at Zaventem airport. (Photo: Peter Dejong/AP via The Canadian Press)
Passengers climb out a metro carriage after an explosion rocked one of the city's subway stations. (Photo: Evan Lamos/AP via The Canadian Press)
Riders walk through a tunnel after a bomb went off at a subway station. (Photo: Evan Lamos/AP via The Canadian Press)
Police patrol the EU commission building after a bomb exploded at a nearby subway station. (Photo: Martin Meissner/AP)
A police officer sets a security perimeter near Maalbeek metro station. (Photo: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images)
Police officers run towards Maalbeek metro station. (Photo: Philippe Huguen/AFP/Getty Images)
People receive treatment as emergency services attend the scene after an explosion in a main metro station in Brussels. (Photo: AP)
Eyewitness video taken from the airport parking garage shows smoke billowing out of blown-out windows, and people running away from the terminal.
Another taken inside show debris strewn after twin explosions, one likely triggered by a suicide bomber, prompted travellers to flee.
More than 200 flights have been diverted away from Brussels, according to the Associated Press.
For the first time in its history, Belgium raised its terror threat to its highest level. Security has been tightened across the country’s train stations, subways, airports, nuclear facilities, and the port of Antwerp, Prime Minister Charles Michel said in a statement.
Michel later told reporters what he feared would happen, happened.
“In this time of tragedy, this black moment for our country, I appeal to everyone to remain calm but also to show solidarity,” he told reporters.
A police officer ignites a candle in honor at Beursplein Square in Burssels following deadly bombings in the city. (Photo: Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)
Solidarity messages are written in chalk outside the stock exchange in Brussels. (Photo: Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP via The Canadian Press)
Tuesday’s deadly bombings follow the arrest of fugitive Salah Abdeslam in Brussels last week. The 26-year-old is a childhood friend of the suspected ringleader behind November’s terror attacks in Paris that left 130 dead.
After his dramatic arrest on March 18, Belgian authorities said Abdeslam had been planning to target Brussels.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the attacks, extending his support to victims, their families and all of Belgium. French President Francois Hollande and U.S. President Barack Obama also extended their thoughts and prayers.
ISIS has since claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Police released a surveillance camera image of suspects in connection to the deadly bombings. The footage was recorded at the airport shortly before the deadly blasts.
Two bombers died during the airport attacks, confirmed Belgium prosecuter Eric can der Sypt. In a Facebook post, Belgium authorities said they are “actively” seeking the third man wearing a light jacket as a person of interest.
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