brussels
At least 34 people have been killed and over 100 injured in the attacks on Brussels airport and metro Tuesday, March 22, 2016KBK Graphics

9:49 p.m. IST -- The Islamic State group carried out the attacks at the airport in Brussels and a metro that killed at least 34 people, ISIS-affiliated Amaq Agency said. A suicide bomber blew himself up inside the Maalbeek metro, the agency added.

"Islamic State fighters carried out a series of bombings with explosive belts and devices on Tuesday, targeting an airport and a central metro station in the center of the Belgian capital Brussels, a country participating in the international coalition against the Islamic State, [sic]" it said.

"Islamic State fighters opened fire inside Zaventem Airport, before several of them detonated their explosive belts, as a martyrdom bomber detonated his explosive belt in the Maalbeek metro station. The attacks resulted in more than 230 dead and wounded, [sic]" the agency added.

8:42 p.m. IST -- The federal prosecutor Tuesday reportedly urged the media to not report on investigation into the explosions at Brussels airport and metro that killed at least 34 people and injured over 100 others.

"The federal prosecutor notes that certain journalists are reporting information about the investigation underway. The federal prosecutor urges the press to immediately refrain from conveying information relative to the investigation so as not to harm the inquiry, " Agence France-Presse cited a statement.

8:28 p.m. IST -- Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon announced three-day national mourning for the victims of Brussels attacks Tuesday, the Guardian quoted journalist Oliver Milne.

8:10 p.m. IST -- United States President Barack Obama expressed solidarity with the victims of Brussels attacks Tuesday. "The thoughts and prayers of the American people are with the people of Belgium," US Mission to the UN quoted Obama as saying in Cuba.

7:50 p.m. IST -- There were nails in one of the two bombs that exploded at Brussels airport Tuesday, the Associated Press reported, citing local broadcaster VTM.

At least 11 victims undergoing treatment at Gasthuisberg hospital in Leuven have suffered deep cuts caused by flying glass and nails, Marc Decramer told VTM.

7:01 p.m. IST -- Britain reportedly flies flag at half-mast on the government buildings in the United Kingdom and Belgian flag is raised over Downing Street to express solidarity with the victims of the Brussels attacks.

6:45 p.m. IST -- The toll of attacks at Brussels airport and metro have reportedly been confirmed at 34. At least 14 people were killed and 81 injured in the departure hall of Zaventem Airport, the Guardian quoted Belgian health minister Maggie de Block as saying.

At least 20 people were killed and 55 others were wounded in the bomb blast on a metro at Maalbeek station, local transport operator Brussels Intercommunal Transport Company, usually referred to as STIB-MIVB, said. Of the injured people, 10 are in critical condition, STIB-MIVB said.

6:40 p.m. IST -- Unconfirmed local reports said one unexploded suicide vest was found at Brussels airport, the Guardian reported. The vest is believed to have belonged to a third terrorist. 

The bomb squad conducted a controlled explosion of the bomb.

6:34 p.m. IST -- One British national was injured in the explosion at Brussels Zaventem airport, UK Prime Minister David Cameron's spokesperson reportedly said.

6:20 p.m. IST -- At least 34 people have been killed in the attacks on Brussels airport and metro Tuesday, the Guardian reported, citing Belgium broadcaster VRT. While 20 died in the metro attack, at least 14 were killed in explosions at Brussels airport.

There is no official confirmation yet of the number of casualties.

5:46 p.m. IST -- There may be one British "casualty," the Guardian quoted Mayor of London Boris Johnson as saying. A journalist with BBC had earlier tweeted, saying there were reports suggesting one person from Briatin was among the injured people.

5:40 p.m. IST -- Belgium's royal family has been evacuated.

5: 02 p.m. IST - "It is Europe which has been targeted," French President Francois Hollande said in a televised address Tuesday. France said it has deployed 1,600 additional forces at the borders. 

4:35 p.m. IST -- The death toll from the blasts at the Brussels airport and the Maelbeek metro ranges from 20 to 26 as per reports by different media organisations, though there is no official confirmation of the final figure. 

Brussels' transport operator has confirmed on Twitter there were 15 deaths in the metro blast.

4:22 p.m. IST -- The Belgian prosecutor has reportedly confirmed a suicide bomber was behind the Brussels airport attack.

4:18 p.m. IST -- Small blasts were reportedly heard in Brussels, but they are said to be controlled explosions, according to the Guardian. 

4:13 p.m. IST -- Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel is addressing a press conference on the Brussels attacks. 

"What we feared has happened, we were hit by blind attacks," he said, according to the Associated Press. "Many are dead, many seriously injured."

4:09 p.m. IST --  Belgian public broadcaster RTBF cited transport operator STIB as saying there were 15 deaths in the Maelbeek metro blast. 

4:05 p.m. IST -- The UK will deploy extra police at key locations, while France will deploy an extra 1,600 police at its borders, according to the Guardian. 

3:58 p.m. IST -- Facebook has activated its safety check system for Brussels explosions.

3:55 p.m. IST -- World leaders 'shocked,' express condolences after Brussels blasts

3:46 p.m. IST -- European Council President Donald Tusk released a statement on the Brussels attacks - "These attacks mark another low by the terrorists in the service of hatred and violence."

3:43 p.m. IST -- Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel reportedly said the incidents were being treated as possible terrorist attacks, Bloomberg reported. 

3:28 p.m. IST -- Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Twitter there were no reports of Indian casualties, but an Indian crew member of Jet Airways was injured in the Brussels airport blast. 

"I am in touch with Mr Manjeev Puri Indian Ambassador in Brussels. He has informed me that so far there is no report of any Indian casualty. However, an Indian lady crew member of Jet Airways is injured. She has been rushed to the hospital, [sic]" Swaraj tweeted. 

3:21 p.m. IST -- AFP is citing firemen saying there are at least 21 deaths in the blasts at Brussels airport, metro. Read details on Brussels metro blast here.

3:18 p.m. IST -- Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel took to Twitter to warn people in Belgium to "avoid any movement".

3:15 p.m. IST -- Eurostar says no trains running from Brussels Midi Station following explosions in Belgium. 

3:04 p.m. IST -- Belgian public broadcaster VTM has cited reports saying 10 people have died in the metro explosions in Brussels, according to Reuters. 

2:57 p.m. IST: Two Indian crew members of Jet Airways reportedly injured in Brussels airport blasts, Indian journalist Barkha Dutt tweeted. 

"Jet airways chief Naresh Goyal tells me 2 cabin crew injured in #Brussels. Both are Indian, one has eye injury. Four Jet planes at airport," she tweeted. 

2:47 p.m. IST -- At least 15 people were injured in the Brussels metro blast at Maelbeek, according to AFP. 

2:45 p.m. IST -- Brussels has reportedly shut down trams, metros and buses after the explosions, the local media said. 

 2:43 p.m. IST -- High alert has been issued at all airports in India following explosions at Brussels airport and metro stations, according to ANI news agency. 

2: 35 p.m. IST -- The Associated Press has shared raw footage from the Brussels airport where the blasts occurred.  

2:16 p.m. IST -- Belgian public broadcaster VRT says Brussels Airport bomb was a suicide attack, according to Reuters. It said 13 people have been killed, 35 severely injured.

2:14 p.m. IST -- "I am shocked and concerned by the events in Brussels. We will do everything we can to help," British Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted Tuesday. 

2:04 p.m. IST -- Belgian broadcaster RTBF cited hospital sources saying there are up to 10 dead. Nearly 30 people are wounded. 

2:02 p.m. IST -- Indian external affairs ministry said there were no reports of Indian casualties in the Brussels explosions. "Have spoken to our Ambassador, no reports of any Indian casualties: Vikas Swarup, MEA spokesperson reportedly said. 

1:56 p.m. IST -- Explosion at Brussels metro station close to European Union institutions, says Belgian broadcaster. According to AFP, the blast was reported on the Brussels metro at Maalbeek station. Brussels transport authority has said all metro stations in Brussels are closing.

1:47 p.m. IST -- Belgium raised the terror threat to the highest level Tuesday, according to AFP.

1:41 p.m. IST --  Belgium's public broadcaster RTBF says several are dead. Russian media is reporting a higher toll from the explosions. Tass news agency says 14 people have been killed. 

1:40 p.m. IST -- Some reports say the explosions took place near the American Airlines desk at the Brussels airport. 

1:31 p.m. IST -- Some reports suggest shots were fired before the explosions were heard. Reuters cited Belgian News Agency Belga saying shots were fired and someone shouted in Arabic at the airport. 

1:24 p.m. IST -- Belgian media is reporting at least one death, while other reports say several casualties are feared. BBC says the channel is hearing the toll could be 11. 

1:21 p.m. IST -- "There have been 2 explosions at the airport. Building is being evacuated. Don't come to the airport area," a tweet by Brussels Airport said. The airport said flights had been cancelled. 

1:17 p.m. IST -- Sky News reported there were two "very, very loud explosions", according to Reuters.

"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," Sky News television's Alex Rossi was quoted as saying.  

1:15 p.m. IST -- The explosions reportedly occurred in the departure hall of the airport in Brussels. 

1:08 p.m. IST -- The Zaventem airport is Brussels is reportedly being evacuated. 

Explosions were reportedly heard at the Brussels airport Tuesday, with images shared on social media showing smoke rising from the area. BBC reported at least two explosions were heard, but said the cause was not yet clear. 

Reuters cited local media reporting several people were injured. 

Brussels has been on terror alert since the November 2015 Paris attacks.The incident comes days after the arrest of key Paris attack suspect Salah Abdeslam from the Molenbeek neighbourhood in Brussels. Another suspect who was identified as 24-year-old Najim Laachraoui, Monday, is still on the run. 

Belgium has been at the centre of the investigation into the Paris terror attacks, which was claimed by the Islamic State group.