A photograph taken seconds after the explosion at Brussels’ Maelbreek metro station captures a moment of solace between a couple surrounded by devastation.
The couple were photographed embracing before turning to aid a man lying on the ground behind them, one of more than 100 injured in today’s attacks. At least 34 people are confirmed dead.
As yet, no Australians are known to be amongst the dead or injured, but DFAT has advised against travelling to Belgium and urged those trapped there to listen to and follow the instructions of local authorities.
It will be sometime before the victims can be formally identified, however.
Brussels Airport has offered condolences to victims’ families on the their Facebook page asking those searching for information about loved ones contact them directly.
It is believed one of the explosions in the terminal occurred outside a Starbucks store, injuring one employee.
“Amidst reports of attacks targeting Brussels’ airport and at a metro station, initial indications are that an explosion took place outside of a [Starbucks] store within the airport,” a statement from the stores management reads.
“While one partner [employee] was injured, we can confirm that all our partners have been accounted for and are safe. This store and all other Starbucks stores in Brussels will remain closed until further notice.”
Three missionaries from Utah were also hurt, along with a fourth French missionary.
A former Belgian basketball player, Brazillian-born Sebastien Bellin, was also injured, according to the Spanish press.
Some Australian tourists remain trapped in Brussels. Mia Egerton-Warburton, 20, an exchange student from Western Australia, arrived in the city on Monday and is staying with friends just minutes from the metro station.
“All our families are pretty panicked, basically telling us to get out of Belgium,” she told News.com.
“We are staying safe and well informed though, and just devastated that this situation is happening to such a beautiful city.”
Australians concerned about loved ones can contact the embassy in Brussels at +32 2 286 0500 or the 24-Hour DFAT emergency hotline 1300 555 135.
Top Comments
We are all victims of USA and their desire to control the world..attacking countries with out any reason or to over throw some democrat elected leader or to protect some USA profits...now it is pay back time..,
I am horrified that you are trying to blame the "usa" for these monsters inflicting terror on innocent people. No, horst manure, this is not about "pay back time", this is about evil people doing evil things that cannot be justified.
shame on you, I am absolutely disgusted.
Well said:)
Well, LiSao, if I believed that this was a politically based retaliation your argument would have some credence. Unfortunately, ISIS are inflicting this evil on the west, "the infidels", because we do not subscribe to their violent and horrible ideology. Their goal is to conquer and force others to submit to them, not to 'pay us back'. It is an extremely weak argument to blame the west for the atrocities committed by ISIS. They're evil people, making evil choices.
This has been going on since the nutter Christians Knights Templar invade Jerusalem to attack the Muslims .....Until we find a cure for religion and why people believe this rubbish we will never have peace,,Look up USS Liberty and 9/11 to see what USA is capable of,