WEST Midlands Euro MP Bill Etheridge has posted this picture of the European Parliament in Brussels in lockdown following today’s devastating terror attacks in Brussels.
The UKIP MEP is currently taking refuge in the European Parliament building which is just yards from the Maalbeek metro station where the second blast took place at around 9.19am, following the killer blast at the city’s Zaventem airport an hour earlier at 8am.
At least 28 people have been killed and many more injured by the attacks. Reports are also emerging this may include one British victim.
Tweeting from the Belgian capital, Mr Etheridge said: “What a terrible day in Brussels. I’m here in the parliament building watching the news as it unfolds. “Sorrow for the victims overwhelming.
“Amidst the sorrow for the victims there must be a determination to terminate the terrorists quickly and with no mercy.”
Siôn Simon, Labour MEP for the West Midlands & European Spokesperson on Employment, is also in Brussels.
He said: “Sad news here in Brussels. My thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy.
“My team here in Brussels are all fine. I walked into the parliament this morning a couple of miles across the city centre and the city is certainly shutting down.”
Fellow Euro MPs, who spend much of their working time in Brussels, have also been quick to react to the atrocities.
Labour MEP Neena Gill said: “Dialogue & solidarity only anwer to #terrorism in #EU and #MENA.”
Daniel Dalton, Conservative MEP for the West Midlands & Consumer Spokesman in the European Parliament, tweeted: “My thoughts and condolences are with those and their families who have been caught up in today’s terrible events in Brussels.”
Countries across the world – including Britain – have been put on high terror alert and all flights to the Belgian capital, including from Birmingham have been cancelled.
Eurostar trains to Brussels have also been cancelled.
