Three explosions ripped through the Belgian capital this morning. Shots were fired and shouting was heard in Arabic in Brussels Airport before the first two attacks. A third explosion, minutes from the European Union offices, rocked Maelbeen metro station.
At least 21 people have died in the attacks on Brussels airport and metro system, Pierre Meys, a spokesman for the Brussels fire brigade, told AFP.
Mr Meys said 11 people were killed in the twin blasts at the airport.
Broken blown out at the scene of explosions at Zaventem airport near Brussels (Reuters)
A security perimeter has been set near Maalbeek metro station in Brussels, after a blast at this station near the EU institutions caused deaths and injuries. (EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
Military personnel arrive at the Rue de la Loi, following its evacuation after an explosion at the Maalbeek subway station in Brussels, on March 22, 2016 (HATIM KAGHAT/AFP/Getty Images)
A helicopter of the Belgian police flies above the area near Maalbeek metro station, on March 22, 2016 in Brussels, after a blast at this station near the EU institutions caused deaths and injuries. (EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
Belgian servicemen block the road close to a meeting of the National Security Council at the Prime Minister’s office, in Brussels, on March 22, 2016, (JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE/AFP/Getty Images)
People are evacuated from Brussels Airport, in Zaventem, on March 22, 2016. (VIRGINIE LEFOUR/AFP/Getty Images)
The military police carries extra patrols at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, on March 22, 2016 (EVERT ELZINGA/AFP/Getty Images)
Firefighters arrive at a security perimeter set in the Rue de la Loi near the Maalbeek subway station, in Brussels, on March 22, 2016 (LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ/AFP/Getty Images)
Passengers are evacuated from Brussels airport, on March 22, 2016 in Zaventem (JOHN THYS/AFP/Getty Images)
Belgian servicemen and police officers block the road outside the Prime Minister’s office where a meeting of the National Security Council is held, in Brussels, on March 22, 2016 (AFP/Getty Images)
Highway access to Zaventem Bruxelles International Airport is closed following a series of terrorist attacks on March 22, 2016 in Brussels, Belgium (Sylvain Lefevre/Getty Images)
A man with blood stains on his sweater leaves Brussels airport in Zaventem on March 22, 2016 (DIRK WAEM/AFP/Getty Images)
Rescue teams evacuate wounded people outside the Maalbeek metro station in Brussels on March 21, 2016 after a blast at this station located near the EU institutions. (AFP/Getty Images)