BRUSSELS — Explosions ripped through the Brussels Airport and a subway station early Tuesday, killing at least 31 people and severely injuring dozens of others.
The two explosions at the airport happened in the departure hall during the morning rush hour as hundreds of passengers were trying to check in, according to an airport spokesperson. Officials say at least 11 people were killed and 81 were injured in those explosions.
- Explosions at airport and subway station in Brussels
- At least 3 killed, dozens severely injured
- Belgian officials says explosions were terrorist attacks
- Islamic State group claims responsibility for attacks
- Belgium terror alert level raised to maximum
Islamic State group claims responsibility
An Iraqi intelligence official says sources in the Syrian city of Raqqa have told them that the Islamic State group has been planning terrorist attacks in Europe for two months which would "target airports and train stations."
The official tells The Associated Press on Tuesday that Iraqi officials told European countries about the plans "but Brussels was not part of the plans" at the time.
%
%
He says IS militants changed the operation and moved it to Brussels "because of the detention of Salah Abdeslam" -- the Paris attacks suspect arrested Friday in Brussels.
Another senior Iraqi intelligence official said "Daesh (IS) was behind this operation and it was planned in Raqqa two months ago and there are three suicide attackers who will carry out another attack."
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity since the investigation was ongoing.
Federal police in Belgium have issued a wanted notice for a suspect in the Brussels airport bombing that they are still trying to identify.
A man wearing a thick light-colored jacket with a black hat and glasses is suspected of committing an attack at Zaventem airport on Tuesday morning.
Prosecutor said the two men in a photo police issued were suicide bombers, and brothers
They are urging the public to call them if they recognize the man.
Several homes are being raided after a taxi driver reported unwittingly driving the suspects to the airport.
Americans injured in attacks
The U.S. military says one American service member and his family were injured in the attacks.
>>READ MORE: Facebook activates 'safety check' feature after Brussels terror attack
U.S. European Command says it will not release details of the injuries or the number of family members involved, due to privacy concerns. The command says that it is continuing to confirm the safety of U.S. military personnel and families in the region, including those who may be there on vacation or official travel.
The injuries bring the total to at least four Americans who were hurt in the explosions that ripped through the Brussels Airport and a metro station Tuesday. Mormon church officials said three missionaries from Utah were seriously injured in the airport attack and have been hospitalized.
The Victims
One victim has been identified so far. Adelma Tapia Ruiz, 36, was at the airport for a trip to New York with her 3-year-old twins. Adelma was killed and one of her daughters was injured.
Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/7QOJU3BNCJERBNKJC5LWTBYFLU.png)
