Manhunt underway as IS claims responsibility

Belgian police have issued a wanted notice for a suspect after bomb attacks at Brussels' main airport and a metro station left more than 30 people dead, reports the BBC.

 

The man was seen walking with two other suspects shortly before twin explosions tore through Zaventem airport.

 

Both men died in the attacks after detonating suicide devices, a Belgian prosecutor said.

 

Anti-terror raids have taken place across Belgium. So-called Islamic State (IS) said it was behind the attacks.

 

An online statement from the group said the locations were "carefully selected" and warned of worse to come for "Crusader states allied against the Islamic State".

 

The US State Department has urged US citizens of "potential risks" of travelling to Europe.

 

"Terrorist groups continue to plan near-term attacks throughout Europe, targeting sporting events, tourist sites, restaurants and transportation," a statement said.

 

Belgian prosecutor Frederic Van Leeuw said police were seeking a man wearing a hat and light-colored jacket.

 

He said searches were taking place "in several parts of the country", adding that an explosive device containing nails, chemical products and an IS flag were found in an apartment in the Schaerbeek area of Brussels.

 

The raid in Schaerbeek reportedly followed a tip-off from a taxi driver who had driven the three suspected bombers to the airport.

 

The explosions happened in quick succession shortly after 08:00 local time (07:00 GMT), with some victims reportedly hit by the second blast as they tried to escape the first.

 

Another bomb was later found and destroyed in a controlled detonation at the scene.

 

The Zaventem mayor, Francis Vermeiren, told the AFP agency the suicide attackers used bombs hidden in their suitcases.