Brussels Airport And Metro Attacks: Tributes Reveal Defiance Of The Belgian People

They refuse to be cowed by the recent attacks.
  • Brussels rocked by multiple explosions after 7am GMT

  • So called Islamic State claim responsibility for attacks

  • Police issue CCTV image from airport of three suspects

  • At least 34 confirmed dead with scores more injured

  • 20 killed at Maalbeek Metro and 14 at Zaventem Airport

  • One Briton confirmed injured, Downing Street says

  • Gunfire and shouts in Arabic reported at Brussels airport

  • Police patrols in the UK to be stepped up at 'key locations'

As Brussels reels from attacks which killed at least 34 people, tributes have revealed both the solidarity and defiance of the Belgian people.

The incidents saw explosions at two sites in the Belgian capital, the city's Zaventem airport and Maalbeek Metro Station.

The attacks are believed to have injured close to 200 people.

Many wanted to show they would not be cowed by terrorist actions, posting images including cartoons of Brussels' famous Mannekin Pis statue, which features a small child urinating.

I piss on terrorism! #makelovenotwar #brussels #prayforIstanbul #prayforparis #prayforsyria #prayfortheworld

A photo posted by Johan Tunebjer (@hoochey) on

On vous pisse dessu! 🇧🇪 #BruxellesmaBelle!

A photo posted by Lauren Tréhout (@laureniiita) on

Fuck you, Fuck you very very much-cause we hate what you do and we hate your whole crew so please dont stay in touch 👋 #Bruxellesmabelle

A photo posted by 🐎🌍🌏🌎🎵📚🍻☀️🐾💖 (@eliseholl) on

Vous ne gagnerez jamais, sales lâches. #prayforbruxelles #prayforbelgium #fdp #bruxelles #bruxellesmabelle #touchepasamonpays

A photo posted by Fabrizio Succitti (@fabrizio_succitti) on

Others were even more defiant...

Perhaps the most poignant tribute was an image by French newspaper Le Monde's renowned cartoonist Plantu, showing French solidarity with the people of Belgium.

Others also tweeted images showing their love for Brussels...

Bruxelles ma belle ... Amis Belges on pense fort à vous! #attentat #belgique #bruxellesmabelle

A photo posted by Adolie Day (@adolieday) on

Locals also chalked messages of hope and defiance in the city's Bourse Square...

On Bourse square in #Brussels, people writing chalk messages of peace and resilience pic.twitter.com/fiMgBhDHaR

— Aurélien Breeden (@aurelienbrd) March 22, 2016

Others also tweeted using the hashtag #BruxellesMaBelle to show their love for the city…

A number of people also shared images of TinTin, the cartoon hero created Belgian cartoonist Georges Remi, looking distraught.

Hoy todos estamos con #Bruselas #JeSuisBruxelles #JeSuisBelge

A photo posted by ELLE España (@elle_spain) on

#JeSuisBruxelles

A photo posted by Vladdo FF (@vladdo) on

David Cameron and Jeremy Corbyn joined in to send their condolences following the attacks.

I am shocked and concerned by the events in Brussels. We will do everything we can to help.

— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) March 22, 2016

I am extremely concerned for all caught up in unfolding events in Brussels. Solidarity with emergency services & those affected.

— Jeremy Corbyn MP (@jeremycorbyn) March 22, 2016

Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam was arrested in Belgium last week after police raided an apartment in Brussels.

Abdeslam, a Belgian-born French national was dubbed Europe’s most-wanted fugitive. He is now fighting extradition to France.

Following Abdeslam’s arrest, Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders said that Abdeslam told investigators he was planning to "restart something" in Brussels.

Brussels has been on high alert for a possible revenge attack following the 26-year-old’s capture.

Emergency number for concerned relatives: +44 2070080000

KENZO TRIBOUILLARD via Getty Images
A message written on the ground reads 'Brussels is beautiful' next to flowers and candles following attacks in Brussels on March 22, 2016. Airlines cancelled hundreds of flights and European railways froze links with Brussels after a series of bomb blasts killed around 35 people in the city's airport and a metro train, sparking a broad security response. AFP PHOTO / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD (Photo credit should read KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images)
KENZO TRIBOUILLARD via Getty Images
People write messages on the ground at Place de la Bourse (Beursplein) following attacks in Brussels on March 22, 2016. Airlines cancelled hundreds of flights and European railways froze links with Brussels after a series of bomb blasts killed around 35 people in the city's airport and a metro train, sparking a broad security response. AFP PHOTO / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD (Photo credit should read KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images)
KENZO TRIBOUILLARD via Getty Images
A placard reads 'Share your love' at a makeshift memorial following attacks in Brussels on March 22, 2016. Airlines cancelled hundreds of flights and European railways froze links with Brussels after a series of bomb blasts killed around 35 people in the city's airport and a metro train, sparking a broad security response. AFP PHOTO / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD (Photo credit should read KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images)
KENZO TRIBOUILLARD via Getty Images
A man writes the word 'Peace' in different languages at Place de la Bourse (Beursplein) following attacks in Brussels on March 22, 2016. Airlines cancelled hundreds of flights and European railways froze links with Brussels after a series of bomb blasts killed around 35 people in the city's airport and a metro train, sparking a broad security response. AFP PHOTO / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD (Photo credit should read KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images)
Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP
Two people write solidarity messages in chalk outside the stock exchange in Brussels on Tuesday, March 22, 2016. Explosions, at least one likely caused by a suicide bomber, rocked the Brussels airport and subway system Tuesday, prompting a lockdown of the Belgian capital and heightened security across Europe. At least 26 people were reported dead. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP
A man walks by solidarity messages written in chalk outside the stock exchange in Brussels on Tuesday, March 22, 2016. Explosions, at least one likely caused by a suicide bomber, rocked the Brussels airport and subway system Tuesday, prompting a lockdown of the Belgian capital and heightened security across Europe. At least 26 people were reported dead. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP
A woman places candles in the shape of a heart outside the stock exchange in Brussels on Tuesday, March 22, 2016. Explosions, at least one likely caused by a suicide bomber, rocked the Brussels airport and subway system Tuesday, prompting a lockdown of the Belgian capital and heightened security across Europe. At least 26 people were reported dead. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP
A man looks at flowers and messages outside the stock exchange in Brussels on Tuesday, March 22, 2016. Explosions, at least one likely caused by a suicide bomber, rocked the Brussels airport and subway system Tuesday, prompting a lockdown of the Belgian capital and heightened security across Europe. At least 26 people were reported dead. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP
Solidarity messages are written in chalk outside the stock exchange in Brussels on Tuesday, March 22, 2016. Explosions, at least one likely caused by a suicide bomber, rocked the Brussels airport and subway system Tuesday, prompting a lockdown of the Belgian capital and heightened security across Europe. At least 26 people were reported dead. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
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