Terrorists attack Brussels, ISIS claims responsibility

The city of Brussels, home to NATO and the European Commission, came under terrorist attack today. Attacks were carried out at Brussels’s Maalbeek metro station and soon after, two blasts ripped through the departure lounge of Zaventem airport. As of now the casualty figures indicate 34 are dead and 230 wounded, some in serious condition. The blasts came from suicide bombers.

Subsequently, through its propaganda website, ISIS claimed responsibility, posting the following: “Islamic State fighters opened fire inside Zaventem Airport, before several of them detonated their explosive belts, as a martyrdom bomber detonated his explosive belt in the Maalbeek metro station. The attacks resulted in more than 230 dead and wounded.”

Belgian officials raised the terror threat level, shut down all public transport in the Belgian capital and advised locals to stay indoors after the blasts. Belgian media VTM also reported evacuation of non-essential personnel from Tihange nuclear power plant, located about 85 kms east of Brussels. VTM also said there is no evidence the plant is currently under threat. The precautionary measure was undertaken ostensibly because Belgian authorities found what appeared to be video surveillance footage of a top Belgian nuclear official in the apartment of Mohamed Bakkali, who was arrested for alleged involvement in the Paris attacks in November of last year.

A heightened security was put in place in many cities across Europe and the United States, as well.