Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Two brothers reportedly behind Brussels suicide bombings

They were known to police but in connection with organised crime – not for acts of terrorism.

Belgian Federal Police Belgian Federal Police

BELGIAN MEDIA HAVE named the two suicide bombers who attacked Brussels Airport yesterday morning as brothers Khalid and Brahim el-Bakraoui.

National broadcaster RTBF reports the men, seen in images released yesterday, have been identified by police. They were known to police but in connection with organised crime – not for acts of terrorism.

RTBF also reports Khalid had rented, under a false name, accommodation that had been raided by police last week in an operation that led police to Paris attack suspect Salah Adbeslam.

The news comes as police continue to hunt a third man, dressed in a light coloured jacket and wearing a dark hat, who was shown with the two others in CCTV footage.

Belgian police have issued an appeal for information about the three men, posting several tweets with photos:

The death toll in the airport blast and another on the Brussels metro system shortly afterwards was put at more than 30 dead but officials said Wednesday they still could not give a final figure.

“We do not have a definitive total; for the moment it remains at what we gave yesterday, some 30 dead and about 250 injured,” a spokesman for the anti-terror Crisis Centre said.

- With reporting by AFP. 

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Author
Michelle Hennessy
View 88 comments
Close
88 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds