Two explosions at Brussels airport

[xxMATTGxx]

Two explosions have been reported at Zaventem airport in Brussels.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CeInldsUkAAJqiE.jpg

Images on social media from the scene showed smoke rising from one of the terminal buildings. The cause of the explosions is unknown.

Some reports from the scene speak of casualties but this has not been confirmed.

The blasts come four days after the capture in Brussels of Salah Abdeslam, the main suspect in the Paris attacks in November.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35869254

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[-:Undertaker:-]

My brothers girlfriend was at that airport I assume only hours beforehand.

Wonder if it's some of those lovely peaceful muslims Merkel and the EU invited in from Syria and Iraq?

They're all brain surgeons don't-cha-know.

[xxMATTGxx]

Unconfirmed reports of an explosion at a subway station in Brussels close to the EU HQ.

Update: The BBC are now reporting the above.

- - - Updated - - -

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[The Don]

Bloody hell, more attacks (it's basically confirmed as a terrorist attack with the second explosion), I can't believe it. I hope casualties are kept to a minimum but there's already reports of bodies. Absolutely vile that this keeps happening.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Reports of Arabic being spoken by attackers.

Another attack at Schuman metro station being reported and Belgian TV reporting "multiple" explosions.

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[xxMATTGxx]

It was only very recently when they captured Salah Abdeslam who was the main suspect in the Paris attacks that took place in November.

- - - Updated - - -

Unconfirmed reports coming in that other Metro stations are also under attack.

[xxMATTGxx]

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[GoldenMerc]

Vile human beings to be able to do this, it's not only the people they are killing but the families take it even worse


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[Lucy]

It is truly devastating to see these atrocities occurring. I know a lot of people were saying there was a high chance of this attack occurring after the capture over the weekend.

[Cerys]

21 confirmed dead so far :(

Ffs people are horrible

[Nick]

Just seen this on the news. So sad :(

[Cerys]

Apparently a Kalashnikov rifle (the type used in the Paris attacks) was found in the departure hall

it sounds like it could've been a much bigger attack

[GoldenMerc]

They found another bomb that didn't explode


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[MONEYMAGIC]

Terrible news, and even worse that this was expected. What's happening to Europe!

[Prosiary]

Fucking nobends, absolutely disgusting to do something like this.

[David]

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[Lewis]

The sooner we leave this pathetic union the better. I'm dreading for when the time comes for this to happen to the UK.

Shame for all those people, RIP :(

[RuthOnToast]

Its really gross how people can actually do such things

[-:Undertaker:-]

My brother's girlfriend and family were supposed to be flying into this airport this morning from the Irish Republic.

Lucky they had changed their arrangements beforehand.


The sooner we leave this pathetic union the better. I'm dreading for when the time comes for this to happen to the UK.

Shame for all those people, RIP :(

It is often hard to think how it could get any worse but it can and is going to this summer as the numbers crossing increase with better weather conditions.

You'll be pleased to know that the EU is currently preparing to give Turkey (a country of 70 million muslims in which Islamism has been growing over the past decade) visa-free entry into Europe this summer. This would essentially bring the external border of Europe to - can you believe this - Syria and Iraq.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35828810


http://www.ezimba.com/work/160323C/ezimba19030356417200.png

[The Don]

The sooner we leave this pathetic union the better. I'm dreading for when the time comes for this to happen to the UK.

Shame for all those people, RIP :(

Yeah because we've had so many terrorists attacks because of EU membership. The blood hasn't dried yet and people are attempting to politicise this, despicable and disgusting behaviour.

[FlyingJesus]

And if only Cote d'Ivoire had left the EU sooner the AQIM attack last week would never have happened...

Awful things going on all around the world, truly sad times. I hope those injured and those left behind recover and can carry on

[Inseriousity.]

Absolutely awful and it's even worse when there's a co-ordinated attack like this. RIP to all the victims :(

[-:Undertaker:-]

Yeah because we've had so many terrorists attacks because of EU membership. The blood hasn't dried yet and people are attempting to politicise this, despicable and disgusting behaviour.

Any supposed outrage you have should be directed at Angela Merkel and the EU who invited in hundreds of thousands of radicalised people in from the Middle East. In addition to taking down border controls and waving people through, they're now attempting to extend Europe's external border to Iraq and Syria this summer. Don't get mad at the people who were right and have continued to be proved right - but whom are ignored - by every single horrific attack that happens.

The blood dried in Paris and yet nothing was done. We can't allow this to keep happening whilst people like you pretend the EU makes us more secure.


And if only Cote d'Ivoire had left the EU sooner the AQIM attack last week would never have happened...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fragile_States_Index#2015

The Ivory Coast, unlike Belgium/France/Great Britain, is a failed state which can exercise little to no control over her borders.

We in Europe are not failed states (yet). We have the ability to control our borders.... or at least we did until EU membership made that illegal.

[Empired]

Feeling sick watching the BBC news this evening but I have to say it fills me with hope seeing all those people on the streets rushing out to help the injured. I think it's wonderful to see those people who go out to risk their lives to help strangers.

[The Don]

Any supposed outrage you have should be directed at Angela Merkel and the EU who invited in hundreds of thousands of radicalised people in from the Middle East. In addition to taking down border controls and waving people through, they're now attempting to extend Europe's external border to Iraq and Syria this summer.

The blood dried in Paris and yet nothing was done. We can't allow this to keep happening whilst people like you pretend the EU makes us more secure.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fragile_States_Index#2015

The Ivory Coast, unlike Belgium/France/Great Britain, is a failed state which can exercise little to no control over her borders.

We in Europe are not failed states (yet). We have the ability to control our borders.... or at least we did until EU membership made that illegal.

Being in the EU has lead to how many terrorist attacks occurring in Britain? This attack would have occurred whether we were in the EU or not, arguing otherwise is naïve at best and callously using the deaths of civilians to further your political agenda at worst. Using this as an argument for Brexit, or using it as a platform to shove your opinion on the UK's membership in the EU down other people’s throats is morally reprehensible.

[-:Undertaker:-]

The Kingdom of Belgium has apparently now closed her borders only serving to confirm how important border controls are in combating terrorism.

https://www.rt.com/news/336595-belgium-highest-terror-alert/


Being in the EU has lead to how many terrorist attacks occurring in Britain? This attack would have occurred whether we were in the EU or not, arguing otherwise is naïve at best and callously using the deaths of civilians to further your political agenda at worst. Using this as an argument for Brexit, or using it as a platform to shove your opinion on the UK's membership in the EU down other people’s throats is morally reprehensible

We do not know the details of this attack but we do know borders play an important part in national security. In addition we know from the Paris attacks that Islamic State have successfully and continue to smuggle operatives into European countries by taking advantage of the EU's open borders as well as the open invite EU leaders have sent out to 'refugees' which means once past the EU external border they are free to travel from Athens to Berlin, Paris or Brussels without a single bloody security check. That is a legal and political fact. It is insanity and it is an insanity that you continue to hopelessly defend despite the blood splatters on the walls of railway substations. You're the morally reprehensible one for defending the indefensible and attacking those of us who warned about this months ago in the face of insults & slurs.

Given people I know very nearly ended up at that airport this morning, I will not take moral lectures from you on what I can discuss.

[AgnesIO]

Given people I know very nearly ended up at that airport this morning, I will not take moral lectures from you on what I can discuss.

Haven't posted in ages. Not going to say much, but don't use this as some lame excuse to push your political agenda. My own plans changed unexpectedly last week, if they hadn't have I would have been at the airport this morning; in the departure lounge, when the bomb went off. I will still be voting 'IN' in June :)

[Lewis]

Yeah because we've had so many terrorists attacks because of EU membership. The blood hasn't dried yet and people are attempting to politicise this, despicable and disgusting behaviour.

Considering I have rarely (if ever?) voiced my opinion about the EU on here or elsewhere, that is certainly far from my aim and you know that.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Haven't posted in ages. Not going to say much, but don't use this as some lame excuse to push your political agenda. My own plans changed unexpectedly last week, if they hadn't have I would have been at the airport this morning; in the departure lounge, when the bomb went off.

If terrorists are being let in by the European Union (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35274765) through external borders and are then taking advantage of internal open borders....


Two of the suicide bombers in the 13 November Paris attacks are believed to arrived on the Greek island of Leros in October and continued their journey through Europe with other migrants and refugees.

...then do you think something needs to be done about open external and internal borders? It requires a simple Yes/No answer.


I will still be voting 'IN' in June

Oh. Oh dear.

So you want the borders of Europe to reach as far as Syria and Iraq both of which are currently largely controlled by Islamic State?


http://www.ezimba.com/work/160323C/ezimba19030356417200.png

[FlyingJesus]

Surely having regulations and full alliance right up to the borders of those countries makes it more difficult for people to come across than a Turkey which doesn't mind letting folk in no matter what the EU says? You are literally saying that less non-ISIS coverage is better right now. Also it's not like on leaving the EU we'd automatically draw up a contract with D.J. Trump Fencing Solutions Inc and build an impenetrable wall around the island, that's just a weird fantasy

[abc]

I would rep Akeam but sadly I have to spread before I can.

EU membership has not led to these attacks, US (us not USA) ATTACKING THEIR COUNTRIES HAS LED TO THIS. US BOMBING THEIR HOMES TO FUCK. We keep killing innocent people in their countries daily, but no one cares?! Oh yeah sorry Dan, I forgot, a White persons life is worth more than a Brown persons life.

Absolutely naive ignorant people who think the attacks are because of EU. Britain is shielded more as we are an Island.

Absolutely disgraceful what has happened.

[Lewis]

I would rep Akeam but sadly I have to spread before I can.

EU membership has not led to these attacks, US (us not USA) ATTACKING THEIR COUNTRIES HAS LED TO THIS. US BOMBING THEIR HOMES TO FUCK. We keep killing innocent people in their countries daily, but no one cares?! Oh yeah sorry Dan, I forgot, a White persons life is worth more than a Brown persons life.

Absolutely naive ignorant people who think the attacks are because of EU. Britain is shielded more as we are an Island.

Absolutely disgraceful what has happened.

I don't blame the EU for it, no one is to blame but Islamic State themselves. I just feel we (and other EU countries) are more prone and likely to be attacked due to being a member of the EU with the current refugee crisis that's ongoing and how it has been handled so far. What started it all? Perhaps a lot of wrongdoing on our side, but the past can't be changed and what we do now or in the future I don't feel is going to affect Islamic State and reduce their desire for domination with their extremist Islamic ideology.

Quite honestly, I don't know much about it and I haven't done much research at all - I am likely very ignorant in what I'm saying. But it certainly doesn't change my fear and the very possible dangers of the refugees.

To your comment (although not aimed at me) I don't value a white man's life more than a brown man's life or any race - I value my own country's entire population, regardless of race and colour, more so than the refugees mainly due to how the entire situation has so far been handled in various countries. I truly do fear of what is to come.

I'm not trying to debate, argue or persuade anything here - just stating my honest opinion :P

[xxMATTGxx]

Bit of an update on the people who carried out the attacks:


Two of the men who carried out attacks in Brussels on Tuesday have been named by Belgian media as the brothers Khalid and Brahim el-Bakraoui.

The RTBF broadcaster said the pair were known to police. It is believed at least one was among three suspects seen in a CCTV image at Zaventem airport.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35879141

They are looking for the 3rd person:


The Brussels airport suspect still at large has been named as Najim Laachraoui, who was already being sought by police after he was linked to the Paris attacks in November, Reuters reports Belgian newspaper DH as saying.

[GoldenMerc]

Why do these threads always turn into debates and arguments, can't we just keep this for updates so I don't have to scroll miles to read garners posts :/


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[xxMATTGxx]

Suspected Brussels airport attacker - named as Najim Laachraoui - has been arrested, Belgian media report

[GoldenMerc]

Suspected Brussels airport attacker - named as Najim Laachraoui - has been arrested, Belgian media report

Am I right in thinking this guy was in the airport and also had a glove on with a detonator for the other two guys just incase theirs didn't work or they decided not to do it?


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[xxMATTGxx]

Am I right in thinking this guy was in the airport and also had a glove on with a detonator for the other two guys just incase theirs didn't work or they decided not to do it?


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http://uploadpicz.com/images/2016/03/23/4000.jpg

I believe the guy that did a runner is the one on the far right with the hat on. The other two are the brothers who killed themselves when letting the bombs off.

[GoldenMerc]

http://uploadpicz.com/images/2016/03/23/4000.jpg

I believe the guy that did a runner is the one on the far right with the hat on. The other two are the brothers who killed themselves when letting the bombs off.

Did they have the bombs on them? Or in their suitcases


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[xxMATTGxx]

Did they have the bombs on them? Or in their suitcases


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I read somewhere it was in the suitcases. Not sure

[Lucy]

I read somewhere it was in the suitcases. Not sure

Yeah it was in the suitcases, the male on the right's bomb did not go off, it is unclear if he left prior to the explosions or left when his bomb did not explode. Either way the security forces entered the airport and found the unexploded bomb shortly afterwards and disposed of it. I am glad to read that he has been captured.

[AgnesIO]

I note that the two brothers were Belgium nationals whom were born in Belgium.

Thankful the third bomb didn't go off - horrifying attacks, nonetheless.

- - - Updated - - -


Yeah it was in the suitcases, the male on the right's bomb did not go off, it is unclear if he left prior to the explosions or left when his bomb did not explode. Either way the security forces entered the airport and found the unexploded bomb shortly afterwards and disposed of it. I am glad to read that he has been captured.

Thought it may be incorrect information. Police to give press conference within the next 30 mins or so, but may not be the third attacker.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Surely having regulations and full alliance right up to the borders of those countries makes it more difficult for people to come across than a Turkey which doesn't mind letting folk in no matter what the EU says? You are literally saying that less non-ISIS coverage is better right now.

No because the European Union has done the opposite on border controls and had actively encouraged these people to enter from Syria and Iraq which is the opposite of which Australia has done in regards to its refugee problem - which is no longer a problem as a result. It's also worth remembering even if you argue for a stronger external border that is is pretty impossible to properly patrol given the size of the external border and the lawless and failed states that border encircles. What sense does it make for the Belgian border to reach past Ankara near the Suez Canal? It is absolute insanity.

I'm not arguing for less Islamic State coverage, I am arguing for us to make it much harder for them to operate.


Also it's not like on leaving the EU we'd automatically draw up a contract with D.J. Trump Fencing Solutions Inc and build an impenetrable wall around the island, that's just a weird fantasy

It is different when it comes to Britain regarding the refugees as we're not in Schengen. However, home-grown terrorists like the suspected mastermind who Matthew posted about have exactly the same right as you and I as EU passport holders to travel to this country. I don't want a wall, we have something better than a wall: the English Channel and border checks. But we're not using them because we're legally obliged by the European Union to not use them: and it is madness.


I would rep Akeam but sadly I have to spread before I can.

EU membership has not led to these attacks, US (us not USA) ATTACKING THEIR COUNTRIES HAS LED TO THIS. US BOMBING THEIR HOMES TO ****. We keep killing innocent people in their countries daily, but no one cares?! Oh yeah sorry Dan, I forgot, a White persons life is worth more than a Brown persons life.

Absolutely naive ignorant people who think the attacks are because of EU. Britain is shielded more as we are an Island.

Absolutely disgraceful what has happened.

Another America-hater who argues America is to blame for everything. What next, it was those Jews and Israel that made Islam nasty?

Muslim countries have been at war with the western world for more than a thousand years before the USA even existed.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Islamist_terrorist_attacks#2016

India, Somalia, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Spain and countless others aren't exactly involved in Middle Eastern wars. Yet they're attacked.

This is a religious/ideological war that has been going on for centuries. Read what the terrorists write, say and do before talking absolute garbage.

[AgnesIO]

No because the European Union has done the opposite on border controls and had actively encouraged these people to enter from Syria and Iraq which is the opposite of which Australia has done in regards to its refugee problem - which is no longer a problem as a result.

The two airport bombers were born in Belgium.

[-:Undertaker:-]

The two airport bombers were born in Belgium.

Yes? If you read what I just said I have pointed out the difference in the scenarios between Schengen/Non-Schengen and home-grown terrorists/refugees.

Kind of you to cut out the rest of my quote and ignore it.


It is different when it comes to Britain regarding the refugees as we're not in Schengen. However, home-grown terrorists like the suspected mastermind who Matthew posted about have exactly the same right as you and I as EU passport holders to travel to this country.

Also worth adding that as soon as the refugees are granted asylum they will then become EU nationals. And can come here freely.

[AgnesIO]

Yes? If you read what I just said I have pointed out the difference in the scenarios between Schengen/Non-Schengen and home-grown terrorists/refugees.

Kind of you to cut out the rest of my quote and ignore it.



Also worth adding that as soon as the refugees are granted asylum they will then become EU nationals. And can come here freely.

They would come here freely anyway. Yeah we could impose visas; we would give EU nationals tourist visas very easily anyway (probably VOA).

[xxMATTGxx]

Update:

Suspected Brussels bomber Najim Laachraoui is still on the run after his suitcase bomb - containing the biggest charge at the airport - failed to explode, Belgian prosecutor Frederic Van Leeuw says. Earlier reports said Mr Laachraoui had been arrested.

[-:Undertaker:-]

They would come here freely anyway. Yeah we could impose visas; we would give EU nationals tourist visas very easily anyway (probably VOA).

No they wouldn't. They would be checked.

No checking/visa system is perfect of course, but it is a damn sight better than no checks and a free for all. In addition we could profile applicants for visas, so for example we know the Molenbeek area in the Belgian Kingdom is packed full of potential Islamists so would be able to put additional profile checks in there.

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Hahaha. Oh yeah once they're captured European peoples will be safe.

There's thousands of RoP'ers under constant watch already in Belgium+France & thousands more coming in every single day. It's only going to get much worse.

[AgnesIO]

No they wouldn't. They would be checked.

No checking/visa system is perfect of course, but it is a damn sight better than no checks and a free for all. In addition we could profile applicants for visas, so for example we know the Molenbeek area in the Belgian Kingdom is packed full of potential Islamists so would be able to put additional profile checks in there.


As someone who travels regularly, there are countless countries I can go into by turning up at the airport and paying a small fee. It really isn't difficult. Thinking we are going to be much more strict than that on our close neighbours is naive.

[-:Undertaker:-]

As someone who travels regularly, there are countless countries I can go into by turning up at the airport and paying a small fee. It really isn't difficult. Thinking we are going to be much more strict than that on our close neighbours is naive.

Nobody is arguing for Auschwitz-style security. The argument is that we should have border controls like Australia, Canada, New Zealand and America do.

That's not something radical. That's not something mean and nasty. That's just common sense and the basic duty of any sovereign state to protect itself.

[xxMATTGxx]

Turkish president says airport bomber Ibrahim El Bakraoui was detained by Turkey & later released by Belgium as "no terrorism links" found

Well that's awkward

[-:Undertaker:-]

Information unfolding on suspects and their movements... just goes to prove what I and others have said all along.

I said after the Paris attacks that there would be another within a matter of months. Here's my next easy forecast: multiple attacks this summer.


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CeQWq2oW4AATH_C.jpg

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http://bigstory.ap.org/article/1c1661cef71c4a1a93f3a1863d27a284/trains-400-fighters-attack-europe-wave-bloodshed


PARIS (AP) — The Islamic State group has trained at least 400 fighters to target Europe in deadly waves of attacks, deploying interlocking terror cells like the ones that struck Brussels and Paris with orders to choose the time, place and method for maximum carnage, officials have told The Associated Press.

The network of agile and semiautonomous cells shows the reach of the extremist group in Europe even as it loses ground in Syria and Iraq. The officials, including European and Iraqi intelligence officials and a French lawmaker who follows the jihadi networks, described camps in Syria, Iraq and possibly the former Soviet bloc where attackers are trained to attack the West. Before being killed in a police raid, the ringleader of the Nov. 13 Paris attacks claimed he had entered Europe in a multinational group of 90 fighters, who scattered "more or less everywhere."

But the biggest break yet in the Paris attacks investigation — the arrest on Friday of fugitive Salah Abdeslam— did not thwart the multipronged attack just four days later on the Belgian capital's airport and metro that left 31 people dead and an estimated 270 wounded. Three suicide bombers also died.

Just as in Paris, Belgian authorities were searching for at least one fugitive in Tuesday's attacks — this time for a man wearing a white jacket who was seen on airport security footage with the two suicide attackers. The fear is that the man, whose identity Belgian officials say is not known, will find Abdeslam's path instructive.

After fleeing Paris immediately after the November attacks, Abdeslam forged a new network back in his childhood neighborhood of Molenbeek in Belgium, long known as a haven for jihadis, and renewed plotting, according to Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders.

"Not only did he drop out of sight, but he did so to organize another attack, with accomplices everywhere. With suicide belts. Two attacks organized just like in Paris. And his arrest, since they knew he was going to talk, it was a response: 'So what if he was arrested? We'll show you that it doesn't change a thing,'" said French Senator Nathalie Goulet, co-head of a commission tracking jihadi networks.

Estimates range from 400 to 600 Islamic State fighters trained specifically for external attacks, according to the officials, including Goulet. Some 5,000 Europeans have gone to Syria.

It's one thing blaming the terrorists themselves: sure they're completely evil and insane. But it is another thing for our leaders not only to demand open borders to keep their EU project alive when there is a home-grown terror threat, it is another thing to actively invite near a million people in from the Middle East and counting. It's expected that with better weather conditions coming soon, we're going to see an exodus into Europe that will dwarf last autumn.

And yet they're talking about extending the EU's already non-existent borders to Syria and Iraq. But hey, the EU keeps us safe, right? :rolleyes:

400. An estimate. Let that sink in. If a handful can pull off Paris and Brussels.........

I read just then too that Europol estimates 3,000 to 5,000 jihadists who went to fight in Syria have already returned to Europe.

[xxMATTGxx]

Just came across this interesting image:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CeQ5kU0WEAA74I0.jpg

[-:Undertaker:-]

xxMATTGxx; Not surprised to see Britain and Spain ahead in past decades, probably down to IRA and ETA(?) which are now largely defunct.

Interesting also to see the instant drop in 1993 after the fall of the Soviet Union. Funding to pro-Soviet groups comes to an end.

[abc]

Another America-hater who argues America is to blame for everything. What next, it was those Jews and Israel that made Islam nasty?

Muslim countries have been at war with the western world for more than a thousand years before the USA even existed.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Islamist_terrorist_attacks#2016

India, Somalia, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Spain and countless others aren't exactly involved in Middle Eastern wars. Yet they're attacked.

This is a religious/ideological war that has been going on for centuries. Read what the terrorists write, say and do before talking absolute garbage.

I clearly said US (as in us = we etc) not USA and I even specified it to avoid confusion. Shows you never read well and just blabber on.

[Expling]

Really terrible news :( I hope they catch all who are responsible...
makes me feel ill