Terror attacks: explosions in the departure hall of Brussels Airport!

[Wohowbagger]

photo from inside, with SN counter clearly visible:

[AC.be]

VRT says nobody was killed at Maalbeek. Thus it should be 21 at BRU.

With certainty 10 people were killed Andre.
Source: VRT Radio (StuBru), confirmed by FedPol.

Could you blurr the photo of Maalbeek above? Human parts are clearly visible...

According to Het Nieuwsblad there are currently 43 fatalities of which 13 at BRU and 30 at Maelbeek.
Het laatste nieuws still mentions 21 fatalities of which 11 at BRU and 10 at Maelbeek.
I guess we'll have to wait till this evening to get a accurate count.

My condolences to the affected families.

[b720]

A black day for all of us here in Belgium. Thoughts are with the people affected and their families.
and Thank you all for all the updates..

[quixoticguide]

The world is not a good place at the moment. Makes DPRK seems like paradise

[sn26567]

[sn26567]

Delta announces that their flight DL80 from Atlanta has landed safely and is parked in a remote area, waiting for instructions to deplane safely all passengers to a secure holding area.

Flight DL42 from New York was diverted to Amsterdam.

[Flanker2]

Can the crews operating in and out of BRU share how they are experiencing the chaos? Diversions, etc...
Why are so many flights choosing to divert to OST when CRL is much more convenient? Are FR flights diverting/operating from CRL?
What operational decisions are being made for the short-term operations of BRU-based flights?

NH231 is en-route to BRU from Tokyo NRT. This is the communication from ANA on their website:

Currently, Brussels Airport have been closed due to explosion on MAR 22.
ANA 231 on MAR 22(from Tokyo Narita to Brussels) may be diverted to other airport due to airport close.
Other flights to/from Brussels airport may be affected.

[Acid-drop]

I think CRL is too busy in the morning, they couldnt handle much. LGG had 13 div, OST had 8.

[quixoticguide]

ANA 231 is going to DUS

[Flanker2]

Quite dramatic scenes:

[sn26567]

[Omychron]

Can the crews operating in and out of BRU share how they are experiencing the chaos? Diversions, etc...
Why are so many flights choosing to divert to OST when CRL is much more convenient? Are FR flights diverting/operating from CRL?
What operational decisions are being made for the short-term operations of BRU-based flights?

NH231 is en-route to BRU from Tokyo NRT. This is the communication from ANA on their website:

Currently, Brussels Airport have been closed due to explosion on MAR 22.
ANA 231 on MAR 22(from Tokyo Narita to Brussels) may be diverted to other airport due to airport close.
Other flights to/from Brussels airport may be affected.

In case of diversions in a scenario like this, we (mostly) ask ATC where they want us.
I would say ATC tried to spread traffic around, to get aircraft on the ground as quickly as possible.
Don't forget that the weather in BRU is good, so most aircraft would have had minimum diversion fuel.
Landing fast in OST beats holding 20 min to land in CRL!

[Wohowbagger]

just officially updated to 15 dead, 55 wounded in Maalbeek. (Source: MIVB/STIB)
BRU 11 dead, 81 injured. (Source: Maggie De Block)

[Flanker2]

Is Cathay_Belgium still inside the airport on that FR flight?
Can you and other passengers share with us how you are experiencing the chaos?

just officially updated to 15 dead, 55 wounded in Maalbeek.
BRU 11 dead, 81 injured.

That is quite massive. Knowing how large the area of the departure hall is around the SN reservations desk, it gives an idea of the magnitude of the blast.

[quixoticguide]

Emirates EK183:
Flight diverted to Dusseldorf due operational reasons.
Kindly contact Emirates for further information.

[Apuneger]

I was on the A201 access road near the terminal building, where traffic came to a complete stop around 08:10.

I saw lots of pax walking away from the terminal, many of them were crying and/or in shock. Lots of firetrucks and ambulances passed by, on their way to the terminal building. My wife tried to call me, so I know something was seriously wrong. Initially I though that there was a (serious) car accident.

Eventually I picked up an old Italian couple as they were stranded before taking their flight to Rome. Dropped them of at at bus stop at Brucargo. They were very thankful, as the lady was almost crying when calling her family while I was driving.

Never seen this before. Be strong Belgium!

Ivan

[sn26567]

Meanwhile, Donald Trump tries to get more votes with this tragedy: "Do you all remember how beautiful and safe a place Brussels was. Not anymore, it is from a different world! U.S. must be vigilant and smart!"

[travellover]

Be strong Belgium.

[sn26567]

Thomas Cook passengers from Tenerife will land in Liège tonight instead of Brussels.

[sn26567]

Reaction KLM CEO Pieter Elbers regarding the situation in Brussels

“It was with shock and horror that KLM heard the reports of the explosions at Zaventem Airport and subway stations in Brussels this morning. Our thoughts are with victims, their relatives and all who were in the direct vicinity of these horrific events"
Pieter Elbers - KLM President & CEO