Brussels attack: Hundreds of policemen in massive manhunt for suspect

Authorities in Belgium have launched a massive manhunt for the third bomb suspect from the Brussels airport bomb attack who is believed to be on the run.

Hundreds of extra Belgian police operatives have been deployed in the manhunt for the suspect seen with two supposed suicide bombers shortly before they struck Brussels’ Zaventem Airport in the first of two attacks that also hit the city’s metro, killing at least 30 and wounding more than 200.

In solidarity, thousands of people shared images of beloved Belgian cartoon character Tintin in tears while Brussels residents held a candle lit vigil in the Place de la Bourse square on Tuesdaynight, where they sang songs and waved the Belgian flag.

Read also: Brussels airport attack: ISIS claims responsibility for bombing

“This is a day of tragedy, a black day,” Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said, describing the bombings as the “deadliest attacks we have ever seen in Belgium”.

But as Belgium began three days of national mourning on Wednesday, he insisted the country would not be cowed by the “blind, violent and cowardly” attacks.

Hours after the attack, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) on Tuesday claimed responsibility for the attacks.

“Islamic State fighters opened fire inside Zaventem Airport, before several of them detonated their explosive belts, as a martyrdom bomber detonated his explosive belt in the Maalbeek metro station,” the group’s statement said.

 

 

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