Belgium’s capital city, Brussels, is dealing with the emotional and travel aftermath of twin explosions at its international airport yesterday, which killed 11 and injured 81 holidaymakers.
The twin blasts hit an hour before an attack at the city’s metro station, which brought the death toll up to around 30.
According to reports, the blasts at Zaventem Airport occurred at around 8.00am local time in the departures area. Authorities say a suicide bomber was ‘probably involved’ and are currently looking for a man who was spotted walking around the gateway with a luggage trolley. It’s believed that he was accompanied by two other suspects who were killing during the blast.
A third bomb, which failed to detonate, was located and destroyed by security services.
IS claims responsibility for devastating Brussels attacks. https://t.co/wt3Y32Sbac pic.twitter.com/pb2BO0tKBT
— The West Australian (@westaustralian) March 22, 2016
Belgium has since raised its terror level to maximum and activated its emergency plan.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) says it is seeking to determine whether any Australians were affected by the blasts and has asked Aussies currently in the destination to “remain attentive to their surroundings, avoid affected areas and follow the instructions of local authorities”.
Australians with plans to visit Belgium have been urged to ‘reconsider their need to travel’, while DFAT works with the Ambassador, Dr Mark Higgie, to complete an assessment of the situation.
Any Australian concerned about the welfare of family and friends in the country are able to contact DFAT and Trade 24 hour Consular Emergency Centre on: 1300 555 135 or +61 2 6261 3305 if calling from overseas.
See heartbreaking tributes to victims of the Brussels attacks https://t.co/a1zdw0PsAY pic.twitter.com/J6KsUjIJAp
— TIME.com (@TIME) March 22, 2016
Airlines have started cancelling and rerouting their flights away from Brussels, while airports around the world increase security ahead of the Easter peak period.
Some 200 flights have been affected so far across a range of airlines, including Lufthansa which cancelled 25 flights to and from Brussels, affecting 2,000 passengers.
KLM’s five flights scheduled to depart today have been cancelled and the carrier confirmed all its passengers and crew in the departures hall are safe.
British Airways has also cancelled services today along with United Airlines. Delta diverted a service to Amsterdam while EasyJet warned of flight disruptions.
In the US, major transportation hubs including international airports, have been placed under high alert. In Australian airports, the existing security levels remain the same because according to Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, they’re “appropriate”.
“We reconsider these issues, security threat levels, all the time.”
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told ABC Radio
“The AFP’s advice to me is that security levels are appropriate… if the security services felt it should be increased, obviously it would be.”
this warms my heart, that the world lights up to show there support & respect?? #PrayForBrussles stay safe babes? pic.twitter.com/Mng6kMxYXD
— Ariana Grande Update (@ArianatorAmazex) March 22, 2016
KarryOn has started contacting tour operators to see whether current or future itineraries in Belgium have been affected by the attacks.
So far, Trafalgar has confirmed that none its guests were in Brussels at the time of the events. The tour operator said all scheduled trips will continue to operate as planned, however any guests due to travel on trips that include Brussels within the next month are able to rebook to any upcoming 2016 departure date, or 2017 if their selected 2016 itinerary is not available.
“Our thoughts are with all those that have been impacted.”
Trafalgar
“Our primary concern is the safety and welfare of our guests and team. We will continue to monitor the situation extremely closely.”
Meanwhile, countries across the world have started shining the Belgium flag on popular buildings and monuments to emphasise their support and sympathy for the destination. The images are accompanied with the hashtag #prayforbrussels on social media.
