Dozens reported dead as explosions rock Brussels airport, metro station


As many as 34 people are dead after three terrorist bombings rocked major transportation hubs in Belgium. Fourteen were killed after two bombs targeted the departure area of Belgium's Zaventem airport in Brussels early Tuesday; a third bomb was later deactivated at the airport by officials. One of the explosions at Zaventem is believed to have been the work of a suicide bomber.
The Brussels mayor reports that 20 were killed and 106 wounded — 17 severely — when, an hour later, an explosion hit a metro station near the EU buildings in central Brussels.
The explosions come days after Belgian police arrested Salah Abdeslam, the only known surviving suspected attacker from the Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in Paris.
In Brussels, following an explosion in a metro tunnel, Belgian authorities shut down train, bus, and tram service, and requested that everyone stay sheltered in place and avoid making phone calls. "Use texting or social media," CrisisCentre Belgium tweeted.
This is a breaking story that will be updated as more details become available. This post has been updated throughout.
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
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