At least 26 dead, 136 injured at Brussels explosions

The blasts scene at Brussels Zaventem Airport. [Photo: cnr.cn]

BRUSSELS, March 22-- At least 26 people were killed and 136 injured in explosions on Tuesday at Brussels airport and on a city subway train, according to the latest figures published by Belgian media.

Belgium's federal health minister Maggie De Block said 11 people were killed and 81 injured in two successive blasts in the departure hall of the airport at about 8:00 a.m. (0700 GMT) this morning.

An hour later, at about 9:11 a.m. (0811 GMT), an explosion on a subway train at Maelbeek metro station in the European Union district of Brussels, killed at least 15 people and injured 55 others, the Brussels public transport operator STIB confirmed.

Earlier reports said there were at least 28 deaths in the blasts. The figures are expected to change due to unconfirmed information at the moment.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has advised all Brussels residents to avoid travelling.

Social networking site Facebook has activated its "Safety Check" feature, which allows users to easily tell their friends that their are safe.

The Belgian Red Cross is urgently appealing for blood donations, several local media reported. 

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Explosions heard at Brussels airport, metro station

Two explosions were heard at Brussels Zaventem airport and another explosion was also reported at Maelbeek metro station which was around the European Union area, Belgian media reported.

A man runs at Brussels airport in Brussels, Belgium, on March 22, 2016. At least 13 people were reportedly dead after explosions at Brussels airport and a metro station on Tuesday. [Photo: Xinhua]