Brussels attacks: Two brothers behind Belgium bombings


Two of the suicide bombers who carried out attacks in Brussels on Tuesday have been named as brothers Khalid and Brahim el-Bakraoui, Belgian nationals.

Investigators in Belgium say they now know two brothers were behind the attacks at Brussels airport and on the city's metro system.

Belgian national Brahim al Bakroui was known to police but had not been directly linked to militant activity.

The federal prosecutor said Brahim was part of the attack at Zaventem airport that killed 11 people. Khalid struck at the Maelbeek metro, where 20 people died. In all 260 people were injured.

Two other men seen with him in CCTV footage from the airport have not been identified.

One wearing a white jacket and glasses is actively sought by police.

He is believed to be 25-year-old Najim Laachraoui, who is also wanted for questioning about the Paris attacks last November.

Police are also still hunting another man seen in an airport CCTV image.
Officers have raided an address in the Schaerbeek neighbourhood in Brussels and say they have found bomb-making equipment, including a suitcase full of nails, at the address.

It is understood Brahim al Bakroui had left a will on a computer at the address.

Officials now know the explosion at the Maelbeek metro station was caused by a suicide bomber.

Belgian national Khalid al Bakroui, the younger brother of the suspect identified at the airport, is understood to have detonated his device in the second carriage of the train.

At least 31 people were killed and 270 have been injured.

Officials are warning that number may rise as the investigation progresses.

Belgium is observing three days of national mourning.

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