Belgium: Brussels-Central Station reopens June 21 /update 3

Event

Belgian Rail (SNCB), the national rail operator, has warned that train delays and cancelations are possible at Brussels-Central Station on Wednesday, June 21, following the attempted terrorist attack that occurred in the station the evening prior. The station had been closed following the incident but reopened around 08:00 (local time) on Wednesday. The station’s metro station has also been reopened.

A significant police presence and increased security measures are to be anticipated at Brussels-Central and other transportation hubs in Belgium, particularly in Brussels, in the coming hours and days.

Context

Belgian police shot dead a suspected suicide bomber inside the station after he detonated his explosives at approximately 20:30 on Tuesday. The incident, which resulted in no casualties other than the assailant, is being treated as a terrorist attack. The assailant’s identity has not yet been released by police.

Belgium remains on high alert for incidents of domestic and international terrorism after coordinated attacks at Brussels-Zaventem International Airport (BRU) and the Maalbeek metro station on March 22, 2016, killed over 30 people and wounded more than 300 others. The Islamic State (IS) militant group claimed responsibility for both attacks. The national threat level remains at "three," the second-highest.

Advice

Individuals in Brussels are advised to anticipate residual transportation disruptions, remain vigilant, and report any suspicious objects or behavior to the local authorities.