Belgian PM says attacks are 'black day', many dead

Passengers are evacuated from Brussels airport in Zaventem after twin blasts rocked the main terminal of Brussels airport. (Photo: AFP/John Thys)

PARIS: Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said on Tuesday (Mar 22) that the "blind, violent and cowardly" attacks on Brussels airport and the metro system were a "black day" for the country and had left many dead.

"This is a day of tragedy, a black day," Michel said on national television, with the death toll put at 21 so far and expected to rise further.

"Two attacks took place this morning in Zaventam airport and Maalbeek metro station, blind, violent, cowardly attacks," Michel said. "There are many dead and many wounded, some of them seriously," he said. “We feared a terror attack and it happened."

'VERY SAD DAY'

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said Tuesday's blasts marked a "very sad day" for Europe, saying on a visit to Jordan it was now suffering like the Middle East.

"It is ... a very sad day for Europe as Europe and its capital is suffering the same pain that this region has known and knows every single day," she said tearfully at a joint press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh.

She said it was already clear that the blasts at Brussels airport and a metro station near the EU headquarters were attacks that resulted from radicalisation, and called for European and Middle Eastern leaders to work together to tackle the scourge.

"We are still waiting for more precise news on the dynamics of the attacks in Brussels but it is quite clear the roots of the pain we are suffering around our region are very much the same," she said.

"We are united in not only suffering ... but also reacting to these acts and preventing radicalisation and violence together. Being here together is the most powerful message of strength and friendship among our people that we can pass to those who would like to divide us."

At least 21 people were killed in the triple blasts in the Belgian capital, which came days after the dramatic arrest by Brussels police of Salah Abdeslam - the prime suspect in Paris attacks claimed by the Islamic State group which killed 130 people in November.

Belgian police drive past passengers who are being evacuated from Zaventem Airport in Brussels, on Mar 22, 2016. (Photo: AFP/Jonas Roosens)

'WHOLE OF EUROPE HIT'

"Through the attacks in Brussels, the whole of Europe has been hit," French President Francois Hollande said in a statement, urging the continent to take "vital steps in the face of the seriousness of the threat.

"France which was itself attacked in January and November last year is fully engaged in that. France will implacably continue the fight against terrorism both on the international level and at home."

Russia and Turkey - themselves targets of attacks in recent months - condemned the blasts, saying they bore out the need to fight terrorism.

"Today is a black day for #Europe. The horrible events in #Brussels affect us all. We are steadfastly at the Belgians' side," German Justice Minister Heiko Maas said on Twitter.

"Our Union's capital is under attack. We mourn the dead & pledge to conquer terror through democracy," the Greek foreign ministry said in a tweet.

It added in French,"Nous sommes tous Bruxellois," - "We are all citizens of Brussels."

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven described the blasts as "an attack against democratic Europe. We will never accept that terrorists attack our open societies."

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said: "My heart and spirit in Brussels, Europe," while Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said "the Brussels attacks strike the heart of our Europe."

Danish counterpart Lars Lokke Rasmussen denounced the blasts as a "despicable attack."

In other reactions:

- Russian President Vladimir Putin: The "barbarous crimes ... demonstrate once again that terrorism has no borders and threatens people around the world. Fighting this evil calls for the most active international cooperation."

- Turkish Foreign Minister Volkan Bozkir: "Every effort must continue to fight terrorism without distinction and those who support terrorism."

- Polish President Andrzej Duda: "The fight against terrorism is the duty of every one of us."

- Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic: "The world is shocked by these terrorist attacks, which jeopardise all the values of civilisation that we strongly support."

- The Syrian opposition, the High Negotiations Committee (HNC), said: "The people of Syria stand with the people of Belgium in solidarity ... The world must stand united to defeat terrorism."

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