Black smoke is seen rising from the Brussels airport following explosions, in this still image made available March 22, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

 

17:15 Ten dead in metro explosion

Belgium public broadcaster VTM says reports of 10 dead in metro explosion in Brussels.

17:11 Emergency contact number announced

Brussels airport has tweeted an emergency contact number for those worried about friends or relatives.

17:10 EU Commission locks down

The European Commission locked down its staff after explosions at Brussels airport and at one and possibly two metro stations close to the EU institutions, the vice president in charge of personnel tweeted.

A spokesman for officials working in the European Parliament nearby said the legislature was working normally.

17:05  Thirteen dead in explosions

As many as 13 people were killed on Tuesday in explosions in Brussels and another 35 were severely injured, Belgian broadcaster VRT said.

16:57  Explosions carried out by suicide bomber

The explosions that killed as many as 10 people on Tuesday were carried out by a suicide bomber, Belgian broadcaster VRT said.

A combination of four images show a close-up detail of a pice of paper falling out of the pants of a suspect apprehended by police in this still image taken from video, in Molenbeek, near Brussels, Belgium, March 18, 2016.[Photo/Agencies]

16:20  Belgium raises terror threat to highest level

Belgium has raised security alert to maximum level 4 across the country, Belga quotes the Interior Ministry as saying.

 

BRUSSELS - As many as 10 people were killed in the explosions that tore through the departure hall of Brussels airport on Tuesday, said Belgium's public broadcaster RTBF.

The blasts occurred four days after the arrest in Brussels of a suspected participant in November militant attacks in Paris that killed 130 people. Belgian police had been on alert for any reprisal action.

Social media showed pictures of smoke rising from the departure hall where windows had been shattered by the blasts. Passengers were seen running away down a slipway.

Sky News television's Alex Rossi, at the scene, said he heard two "very, very loud explosions".

"I could feel the building move. There was also dust and smoke as well...I went towards where the explosion came from and there were people coming out looking very dazed and shocked."

"The thinking here is that it is some kind of terrorist attack - that hasn't been verified by any of the authorities here at the airport."

Video showed devastation inside the departure hall with items scattered across the floor.

Belgian media said rail traffic to the airport was suspended.