The people of Brussels are in shock this morning following a number of explosions in Zaventem Airport and the Maalbeek Metro Station.
Many Irish were caught up in this morning’s attacks, with Galway student Luke Mac an Bháird tweeting his experience live from Zaventem Airport.
A student of Law and Politics currently based in Belgium, Luke was set to fly to Dublin this morning when the attacks occurred.
He issued several tweets from the airport as people were caught up in a stampede to evacuate.
In Brussels Airport. Been evacuated afer suspected bomb.
— Luke Mac an Bháird (@Luke_Mac_) March 22, 2016
Advice to people. Don’t come to Gate B at Brussels Airport. We have been evacuated to back of the terminal. Ppl crying and very scared.
— Luke Mac an Bháird (@Luke_Mac_) March 22, 2016
So my gate and another one has been told to stay put inside the airport…this is crazy stuff.
— Luke Mac an Bháird (@Luke_Mac_) March 22, 2016
Being evacuated to the tarmac now. pic.twitter.com/lu1k3kmsEZ
— Luke Mac an Bháird (@Luke_Mac_) March 22, 2016
Stampede now. Everyone running
— Luke Mac an Bháird (@Luke_Mac_) March 22, 2016
There was a moment of intense worry as people shouted ‘run’. On the tarmac now though. pic.twitter.com/n1O63vJgTR
— Luke Mac an Bháird (@Luke_Mac_) March 22, 2016
Scene at the ‘crisis’ centre right now at Brussels Airport pic.twitter.com/7jxOyslg7g
— Luke Mac an Bháird (@Luke_Mac_) March 22, 2016
According to the BBC, there are as many as 13 fatalities in the explosions at Zaventem Airport and the Maalbeek Metro Station.
Aer Lingus acted swiftly to accommodate any passengers travelling to the Belgian capital today or tomorrow, offering refunds or flight exchanges. An Aer Lingus flight, EI630, en route to Brussels has been instructed to land in Amsterdam.
Following an incident at #Brussels #Zavantem, EI630 has diverted to AMS, and airport operations at @BrusselsAirport have been suspended.
— Aer Lingus (@AerLingus) March 22, 2016
