30 Killed, 230 Hunt, In Brussels Airport & Metro Station Blasts

Belgium officials have confirmed that 34 people
were killed and over 170 others wounded in the
coordinated bomb attacks at the Zaventem
Airport and the Maelbeek metro station in
Brussels, on Tuesday.
Local media reported that the police were
engaged in an active man hunt for some of the
suspects of the attack.
Reacting to earlier reports that the suicide
bomber at the airport detonated his bomb at the
checking counter of American Airlines, the airline
released statement saying its employees and
crew members were not injured in the blast.
''American is taking of employees and
customers at Brussels Airport. At this time all
our airport employees and crew members are
safe and accounted for with no report of
injuries.'' The statement read.
As the country is struggling to come to grasp
with the attack, local media have made appeals
to people living near Zaventem airport to bring
blankets, water, food and other essential medical
supplies to a local gym being used as a
temporary shelter.
Meanwhile, the CNN is reporting that President
Barack Obama who is on a state visit to Cuba
has been briefed on the blasts.
''The president was apprised this morning of
the explosions in Brussels, Belgium. US officials
have been and will continue to be in close
contact with their Belgian counterparts.'' An
official said after the blasts at Brussels airport
and a metro station.
U.S. Republican party front-runner, Donald
Trump, has reacted to blast characteristically
saying he will close the U.S. border if elected
president in November to stem the entry of
would-be terrorists into the country.
''I would close up our borders … We are lax
and we are foolish.'' He told Fox News.
Similarly, the United Kingdom’s Ukip Party’s
defence spokesperson, Mike Hooken, blamed the
success of the attack on the freedom of
movement within the European Union.
He said: ''This horrific act of terrorism shows
that Schengen free movement and lax border
controls are a threat to our security.''
The Ukip is opposed to greater regional alliances
in the EU.
Some of the casualties have been identified. The
Slovenian foreign minister, Karl Erjavec, told
journalists that one of his country’s diplomats
was among the wounded. He said the unnamed
diplomat was in hospital and his life was not in
danger.