Neighbouring Ireland also updated its travel advice to warn citizens to delay non-essential travel to Brussels, and warned of increased security in France following the attacks.
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After chairing a 40-minute meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee, Prime Minister David Cameron said: “These were attacks in Belgium”.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: “I am extremely concerned for all caught up in unfolding events in Brussels”. He says that Britain has offered to help the Belgian security forces.
Eurostar trains to Brussels from London’s St Pancras station have been suspended.
REUTERS/Eddie KeoghArmed police walk along Downing Street today.At least 28 people are dead after two explosions occurred in Brussels this morning – one at Zaventem Airport and at the Maelbeek metro station in Brussels on Tuesday morning. Brussels authorities have now closed public transportation systems across the capital in reaction to the incident.
London’s Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, would not confirm it was stepping up security but said it was “working with the police at Heathrow who are providing a high visibility presence”.
Here’s the only publically available picture of the Cabinet Office Briefing Room.
“In London specifically, the Metropolitan Police Service has mobilised additional officers, who will carry out highly visible patrols at key locations around the capital including the transport network”, Rowley said in a statement.
“This is not in relation to any specific information or intelligence”, he added. “These additional officers are deployed as part of reassurance measures”, Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said.
The Prime Minister’s official spokeswoman later confirmed that police and intelligence agencies have already been in touch with their Belgian counterparts and a team of specialist police officers are being sent to the city to assist with the investigation.
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“We are in close liaison with the Belgium authorities and will continue to monitor the situation. In an emergency always call 999”.
