LONDON, United Kingdom. Here is what we know so far about the Brussels attacks that left 34 people dead and sparked a major cross-European manhunt.
THE ATTACKS
:: The three suspected attackers are driven to the city’s Zaventem Airport in a taxi
:: They all have bombs in their bags, which they load on luggage trollies and head towards the security gate
:: Around 7am GMT, shots are fired as the attackers shout in Arabic, according to local media reports
:: Moments later, twin blasts rip through the airport’s departure hall killing at least 14 people
:: The first bomb went off near a counter where customers pay for overweight baggage, the second was near a Starbucks
:: An hour later, a bomb explodes on a train at Maalbeek metro station – near EU headquarters
:: The blast hit as the train, packed with morning commuters, left the platform – at least 20 were killed
THE SECURITY OPERATION
:: At 10am GMT, local residents are told to stay indoors and public transport systems are halted
:: The lockdown remained in place for about five hours
:: Police found a third bomb at Zaventem Airport. It was “neutralised with a controlled action”
:: One or two Kalashnikov rifles were also found at the airport, according to Belgian media
:: Reports said one Kalashnikov assault rifle was found next to the body of the attacker
THE RAIDS
:: Police raids took place across the country throughout Tuesday afternoon
:: Police found a nail bomb in an apartment in the northern Brussels neighbourhood of Schaerbeek
:: Investigators also found chemical products and an Islamic State flag
:: Private broadcaster VTM said police went to the area after a tip-off from the taxi driver who reportedly dropped off the suspected Zaventem Airport attackers
:: The driver said he became suspicious when they did not let him touch their baggage
THE SUSPECTS
:: Islamic State has issued two statements claiming responsibility for both attacks
:: CCTV footage from Zaventem Airport shows the three suspects walking through the airport shortly before the attacks
:: The two pictured in black are both wearing gloves on their left hand, possibly to hide detonators
:: The two suspects, pictured in black died at the scene, according to Belgian Prosecutor Eric van der Sypt
:: The third man, pictured in white, fled the scene after his bomb did not go off, the prosecutor said
:: Little is yet known about the attacker or attackers behind the Maalbeek metro station attack
:: It is not yet known whether if there are links to the arrest of the Paris attacker Salah Abdeslam in Brussels last week
THE MANHUNT
:: A government official said the third Zaventem suspect was seen running away from the airport building
:: He is described as young, wearing a thick light-coloured jacket with a black hat and glasses
:: German media reports suggest he may be trying to reach Germany, although that is not yet confirmed
POLICE APPEALS
:: Police are asking any witnesses who may have caught they attacks on camera to come forward
:: They particularly interested in footage which may have the suspected attackers in view
Credit: Sky News
