2016 Brussels bombings

Map of Brussels, showing the location of the two bombs

On 22 March 2016, three large explosions happened in the Belgian capital Brussels. Two bombs exploded at Brussels Zaventem Airport and one exploded at Maalbeek metro station. According to the Belgian Health Ministry, at least 31 people were killed and over 250 injured.^[1] Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has publicly claimed responsibility for the attack. There are three suspects.^[2] Two were suicide bombers and Belgian police are currently searching for the third one.^[3]

Background

Belgium took part in the war against ISIL in Iraq.^[4] About 500 foreign fighters in Syria and Iraq are Belgians.^[5] The fighters mostly come from immigrant families.

Belgium suffered previous attacks. In May 2014, an Islamist gunman attacked the Jewish Museum of Belgium in Brussels, killing four people.^[6] In January 2015, Security men stopped a group maybe planned a second Charlie Hebdo shooting. The operation resulted in the deaths of two members of the group.^[7] In August 2015, a man shot and stabbed people on a train in Brussels, before being stopped by passengers.^[8]

The attackers that were part of the November 2015 Paris attacks were based in Molenbeek, and the city of Brussels was closed for five days to search for people. On 18 March 2016, Salah Abdeslam, who possibly was part of the Paris attacks, was caught, and at least one other suspect is still free.^[9]

Bombing locations

Brussels Airport

Two explosions took place in the airport's departure hall.

Victims

At least 31 people were killed and more than 230 others were injured.^[2] Three Americans, Mormon missionaries, were seriously injured, as well as a member of the U.S. military and his family.^[10] The U.S. Embassy in Brussels asked U.S. citizens not to use buses and subways.^[10]

Brussels suspect on CCTV

ISIL attacked Brussels

Two men used bombs to kill themselves and other people at Brussels Airport. The police is looking for a third man seen with them in CCTV photo from the airport.^[1] ISIL said it was behind the attack.

Hours after the attacks, police went into a home in Schaerbeek, north of Brussels, where they found a nail bomb, chemicals, and an ISIL flag. One man was arrested, but then released.^[11]

Maalbeek - Maelbeek station (25684717280)

The attackers

Belgian authorities said two brothers, Khalid and Ibrahim el-Bakraoui, both Belgians with criminal records — were among the three suicide bombers who attacked the Brussels metro and airport.^[12]The brothers are believed to have links to last year’s Paris attacks, and to Salah Abdeslam. There third man who appeared on the cameras is still free after he ran away when his bomb didn't explode.

Europe says "no" to fear

After the attacks in Brussels, European leaders said terror will not scare them.^[2] In Belgium, officials declared three days of national mourning. Belgian Prime Minister said that Charles Michel sent a message to the people behind the attacks, saying, "to those who have chosen to be barbarous enemies of freedom, democracy and fundamental values ... we remain united as one."

In its message claiming responsibility, ISIS noted in a twitter post that "What will be coming is worse."

The world is sad

People shared cartoons and showed sadness in black, yellow and red, the colors of the Belgian flag.^[13] Others put messages of solidarity with #JeSuisBruxelles, or "I am Brussels," an ode to a similar outpouring with #JeSuisCharlie after the Charlie Hebdo attack in January 2015. Some people invited tourists stuck after the airport was shut into their homes using #OpenHouse.

French cartoonist Jean Plantureux, who goes by Plantu, drew an emotional cartoon for French newspaper Le Monde. A crying person wrapped in a French flag hugs a crying person with a Belgian flag, suggesting solidarity between the two countries.^[14]

Mourning people captured during civil service in remembrance of November 2015 Paris attacks victims - Paris, November 14, 2015

People in Brussels and elsewhere brought flowers and lit candles to show how sad they are after the attacks.

2016 Brussels Bombings Media

Digital billboard in Brussels. It reads, in French, "Stay where you are, avoid all movement, prioritise communications by text message or social media."
People gathering, chalk drawings and flowers for the victims. The largest message says (translated from French), Brussels is beautiful, with further inscriptions of Stop violence, Stop war, Unity, and Humanity.
The sculpture Flight in Mind by Belgian artist Olivier Strebelle was damaged in the attacks. After some months of restoration the sculpture was relocated to an outdoor area of the airport. It is seen here on the 1st anniversary of the attacks.
Wall of messages at Maelbeek metro
The impromptu memorial at the Brussels Stock Exchange
The Flame of Hope by Mustapha Zoufri in Molenbeek, in honour of the victims of the Paris and Brussels attacks
Wounded But Still Standing in Front of the Inconceivable, Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat, Brussels
Memorial to the attacks of 22 Mars 2016, Etterbeek (Jardin Felix Hap)
Memorial 22/03 by Bas Smets in the Sonian Forest