Europe must "catch and destroy" those responsible for Brussels bombings - Ilves

  • 2016-03-22
  • BNS/TBT-STAFF/TALLINN

Following the March 22 terror attacks in Brussels, Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves has said Europe must “catch and destroy” those behind the bombings.

Writing in Estonian on his Facebook account, Ilves stated: ”attempts are being made again to kill us, right in the heart of Europe.

“The response to vile and abominable crimes like this is pan-European cooperation to catch and destroy those criminals and their networks."

"Estonia is with Belgium. Our sympathies go out to all the victims of the Brussels blasts and their next of kin.”

Two blasts tore through Zaventem airport’s departure lounge at 07:00 a.m. local time (8:00 GMT). 

The other took place in the Maalbeek station an hour later. The latter is located close to European Union institutions in the Belgian capital. 

Both the airport and entire metro system have been closed.

BBC news reports that at least 13 people have been killed so far. 

Belgian broadcaster VRT added that at least 35 people were severely injured, with national news, Het Laatste Nieuws, reporting more bombs were found.

The Belga news agency reported that shots were fired and shouts in Arabic were heard prior to the explosion.

Belgium has now raised its terror threat to its highest level, said Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon.

Both leaders from Lithuania and Latvia have condemned the terrorist attacks, and expressed their solidarity and support with Belgium.