Brussels attack: Fresh explosions heard, metro closed

Brussels - The metro operator later said the service was being closed down.

An explosion occurred on Tuesday at a metro station in Brussels close to the European Union's institutions in the Belgian capital, subway staff told AFP.
The blast occurred shortly after 0800 GMT, in the morning rush hour, at Maalbeek station. TV images showed black smoke billowing from the station entrance.
The metro operator later said the service was being closed down.
The incident occurred shortly after twin blasts at the city's airport, killing at least one person, according to an early toll, and the Belgian authorities raised the country's terrorism alert from three to the maximum four.
An Associated Press reporter saw several people with facial injuries following an explosion in a Brussels metro station near European Union headquarters. At least two people were seen being moved on stretchers
Alexandre Brans, 32, who was wiping blood from his face, said: "The metro was leaving Maelbeek station when there was a really loud explosion. It was panic everywhere. There were a lot of people in the metro."