Brussels: The Islamic State on Tuesday claimed responsibility for the terror attacks in Brussels, a news agency affiliated with the group said. A series of apparently coordinated explosions ripped through Brussels airport and a city metro station Tuesday, killing at least 34 people in the latest attacks to target Europe.
"Islamic State fighters carried out a series of bombings with explosive belts and devices on Tuesday, targeting an airport and a central metro station in the center of the Belgian capital Brussels," AMAQ agency said.
Two blasts targeted the main hall of Zaventem Airport at around 8:00 AM (0700 GMT) while the third hit Maalbeek metro station near the European Union's main buildings, just as commuters were making their way to work in rush hour.
Police later discovered an unexploded belt bomb at Brussels and safely neutralised it through a controlled explosion.
The deadly attack comes days after the dramatic arrest in Brussels on Friday of Salah Abdeslam -- the prime suspect in the Paris terror attacks claimed by the Islamic State group -- after four months on the run.
Security was tightened across the jittery continent and transport links paralysed after the bombings that Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel branded "blind, violent and cowardly".
"This is a day of tragedy, a black day," Michel said on national television.
Witnesses said victims lay in pools of blood at the airport, their limbs blown off. There were chaotic scenes as passengers fled in panic, with a thick plume of smoke rising from the main terminal building.
"A man shouted a few words in Arabic and then I heard a huge blast," airport baggage security officer Alphonse Lyoura told AFP, his hands bloodied.
"A lot of people lost limbs. One man had lost both legs and there was a policeman with a totally mangled leg."
The explosions triggered a transport shutdown in the city that is home to the headquarters of both the EU and NATO. Flights were halted with metro, tram and bus services all suspended.
World leaders unequivocally condemned the ghastly attacks as they stood in solidarity with the victims killed in the attacks.
"The thoughts and prayers of the American people are with the people of Belgium, and we stand in solidarity with them in condemning these outrageous attacks against innocent people," US President Barack Obama said.
"News from Brussels is disturbing. The attacks are condemnable. Condolences to families of the deceased. May those injured recover quickly,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is scheduled to visit Brussels next week for India-EU Summit, tweeted.
(With additional information from agencies)
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