Photos Of Brussels After The Attack Show A City In Chaos

At least 34 are dead and many more wounded after three explosions rocked the Brussels airport and subway system. Belgium had been bracing for terror atttacks in the wake of the Friday arrest of Salah Abdeslam, believed to be one of the coordinators of the November Paris terrorist attacks. In the wake of the deadly explosions, Belgium authorities have raised the terror level to 4, the highest level, and precautions are being taken across Belgium and Europe including the lock down of Brussels. The photos of Brussels after the terror attacks are a reminder that terrorism remains a major threat across Europe.

Leaders from across the continent and beyond spoke out today to denounce the terrorist attacks, including Russian President Vadimir Putin and French President François Hollande. British Prime Minister David Cameron said his country will "absolutely stand" with the Belgium people.

In a televised press conference Belgium Prime Minister Charles Michel said officials can confirm the airport blast was carried out by a suicide bomber and said "What we feared, has happened," and called for "calm and solidarity." As photos from the aftermath of the attack show, solidarity is one thing the Belgian people — and people around the world — were showing in abundance Tuesday.

News outlets and journalists are being asked by the Belgian Justice Department not to report on ongoing police operations and at least one newspaper, France's Le Soir, has agreed, The Guardian reported.

As Brussels reels in the aftermath, local TV station Ring TV reportedly broadcast an appeal to people living around the Zaventen airport to bring blankets, water, food, and medical supplies to assist the injured.

Reports from channel RTBF in Belgium say a Kalashnikov rifle was found in Zaventem airport's departure hall, and private broadcaster VTM said a suicide vest belonging to a suspected third terrorist was also discovered at the airport, although that report is still unconfirmed, according to The Guardian.

In addition to the airport and metro, officials detonated what they are characterizing as a controlled explosion at Vrije University in Brussels.

The Belgian people are already coming together and showing solidarity in the hours just after the attacks. The Belgian taxi driver's union is encouraging its members to offer free rides to stranded passengers today and everyday folks are rallying around the hashtag #ikwilhelpen or "I want to help" to offer rides, a place to stay or anything else people need across Belgium.

Freelance journalist Matthew Keys shared this eerie audio of pilots approaching Brussels being told about the attacks by air traffic control.

The German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, has also spoken out to denounce the Brussels attacks in the strongest terms possible and vowed Europe will stand together in solidarity against terror. "In this difficult time," Steinmeier said. "Europe is standing together in solidarity. Belgium is not alone. Our Belgian friends can count on the solid support from Germany and Europe. We face the terrorism against jointly and resolutely," according to the New York Times. The images above are a testament to that unity and resolve.