Belgium bombings take 31 lives, 187 injured

BRUSSELS (AP)  – Belgian officials say 31 people were killed Tuesday and 187 wounded in two explosions at the Belgium airport and one at a city subway station.

Mayor Yvan Majeur now says at least 20 people have died and 106 people were injured in the attack on the Maelbeek subway station, which is close to the European Union headquarters.

Earlier, another top Belgian official said 11 people were killed and 81 have wounded in twin explosions at the Brussels airport.

Airport spokeswoman Anke Fransen said: “There were two blasts in the departure hall. First aid team are in place for help.” Passengers were led onto the tarmac and the crisis center urged people not to come to the airport.

Flemish language broadcaster VTM interviewed Marc Decramer of the Gasthuisberg hospital in Leuven, who says the hospital is treating 11 people with serious injuries, three of them in critical condition. Decramer says the wounded have fractures and deep cuts caused by flying glass and nails.

A European security official in contact with Belgian police says least one and possibly two Kalashnikov rifles have been found in the departure lounge at the Brussels airport after the attacks.

The explosions happened only days after the prime suspect in the Paris attacks Salah Abdeslam was arrested in Brussels.