Víctimas en charcos de sangre y cuerpos mutilados son algunas de las escenas dantescas que se vivieron tras los atentados de este martes en el aeropuerto y el metro de Bruselas, una ciudad sumida en el pánico y el horror.
A picture taken on March 22, 2016 shows smoke rising from the Maalbeek underground, in Brussels, following a blast at the station close to the capital’s European quarter.
The Brussels metro service was being shut down on March 22, its operator said. The measure came after a rush-hour explosion at Maalbeek station with TV images showing black smoke pouring from the station entrance.
/ AFP / Belga / Seppe KNAPEN / Belgium OUT
People are evacuated from Brussels airport in Zaventem on March 22, 2016 following twin blasts. A string of explosions rocked Brussels airport and a city metro station, killing at least 21 people in apparently coordinated attacks, officials said. == BELGIUM OUT == / AFP / Belga / DIRK WAEM / Belgium OUT
People are evacuated from Brussels airport in Zaventem on March 22, 2016 following twin blasts. A string of explosions rocked Brussels airport and a city metro station, killing at least 21 people in apparently coordinated attacks, officials said. == BELGIUM OUT == / AFP / Belga / DIRK WAEM / Belgium OUT
People are evacuated from Brussels airport in Zaventem on March 22, 2016 following twin blasts. A string of explosions rocked Brussels airport and a city metro station, killing at least 21 people in apparently coordinated attacks, officials said. == BELGIUM OUT == / AFP / Belga / DIRK WAEM / Belgium OUT
A private security guard helps a wounded women outside the Maalbeek metro station in Brussels on March 22, 2016 after a blast at this station located near the EU institutions. Belgian firefighters said at least 26 people had died after “enormous” blasts rocked Brussels airport and a city metro station today, as Belgium raised its terror threat to the maximum level. / AFP / Michael VILLA
A private security guard helps a wounded women outside the Maalbeek metro station in Brussels on March 22, 2016 after a blast at this station located near the EU institutions. Belgian firefighters said at least 26 people had died after “enormous” blasts rocked Brussels airport and a city metro station today, as Belgium raised its terror threat to the maximum level. / AFP / Michael VILLA
People are evacuated from Brussels Airport, in Zaventem, on March 22, 2016. after at least 13 people have been killed by two explosions in the departure hall of Brussels Airport. / AFP / Belga / VIRGINIE LEFOUR / Belgium OUT
A picture shows damage to the facade of Brussels Airport, in Zaventem, on March 2016 after two explosions in the airport. Belgian firefighters said there were at least 21 dead after “enormous” blasts hit Brussels airport and the city’s metro system. / AFP / BELGA / DIRK WAEM / Belgium OUT
Passengers are pictured after being evacuated from Brussels Airport, in Zaventem, on March 22, 2016, after at least 13 people have been killed by two explosions in the departure hall of Brussels Airport. / AFP / Belga / DIRK WAEM / Belgium OUT
Passengers leave Brussels airport, on March 22, 2016 in Zaventem , following its evacuation after at least 13 people were killed and 35 injured as twin blasts rocked the main terminal of Brussels airport.AFP PHOTO / JOHN THYS / AFP / JOHN THYS
A victim receives first aid by rescuers, on March 22, 2016 near Maalbeek metro station in Brussels, after a blast at this station near the EU institutions caused deaths and injuries. AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP / EMMANUEL DUNAND
Passengers are evacuated from Brussels airport, on March 22, 2016 in Zaventem, after at least 13 people were killed and 35 injured as twin blasts rocked the main terminal of Brussels airport.AFP PHOTO / JOHN THYS / AFP / JOHN THYS
Passengers are evacuated from Brussels airport, on March 22, 2016 in Zaventem, after at least 13 people were killed and 35 injured as twin blasts rocked the main terminal of Brussels airport.AFP PHOTO / JOHN THYS / AFP / JOHN THYS
Passengers board a bus as they evacuate the Brussels Airport in Zaventem, on March 22, 2016, after a string of explosions rocked Brussels airport and a city metro station, killing at least 21 people, as Belgium raised its terror threat to the maximum level. The blasts come days after the dramatic arrest in Brussels on March 18 of Salah Abdeslam, the prime suspect in the Paris terror attacks that killed 130 people in November, after four months on the run. AFP PHOTO / THIERRY MONASSE / AFP / THIERRY MONASSE
Passengers are evacuated from Brussels airport, on March 22, 2016 in Zaventem, after at least 13 people were killed and 35 injured as twin blasts rocked the main terminal of Brussels airport.AFP PHOTO / JOHN THYS / AFP / JOHN THYS
Passengers are evacuated from Brussels airport, on March 22, 2016 in Zaventem, after at least 13 people were killed and 35 injured as twin blasts rocked the main terminal of Brussels airport.AFP PHOTO / JOHN THYS / AFP / JOHN THYS
Passengers are evacuated from Brussels airport, on March 22, 2016 in Zaventem, after at least 13 people were killed and 35 injured as twin blasts rocked the main terminal of Brussels airport.AFP PHOTO / JOHN THYS / AFP / JOHN THYS
Passengers wait, on March 22, 2016 near Brussels airport in Zaventem , following its evacuation after at least 13 people were killed and 35 injured as twin blasts rocked the main terminal of Brussels airport.AFP PHOTO / JOHN THYS / AFP / JOHN THYS
Passengers board a bus after being evacuated from Brussels airport, on March 22, 2016 in Zaventem, after at least 13 people were killed and 35 injured as twin blasts rocked the main terminal of Brussels airport.AFP PHOTO / JOHN THYS / AFP / JOHN THYS
People leave the scene of explosions at Zaventem airport near Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2016. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Rescue workers treat victims outside the Maelbeek underground station, in this still image image taken from video, after a blast in Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2016. REUTERS/RTL Belgium via Reuters TV ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. BELGIUM OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN BELGIUM. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
ATTENTION EDITORS – VISUAL COVERAGE OF SCENES OF INJURY OR DEATH An injured man lies at the scene of explosions at Zaventem airport near Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2016. REUTERS/Ketevan Kardava/Courtesy of 1tv.ge/Handout via Reuters ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS. MANDATORY CREDIT. TEMPLATE OUT
ATTENTION EDITORS – VISUAL COVERAGE OF SCENES OF INJURY OR DEATH Injured people are seen at the scene of explosions at Zaventem airport near Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2016. REUTERS/Ketevan Kardava/Courtesy of 1tv.ge/Handout via Reuters ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. THIS PICTURE WAS PROCESSED BY REUTERS TO ENHANCE QUALITY. AN UNPROCESSED VERSION WILL BE PROVIDED SEPARATELY. MANDATORY CREDIT. TEMPLATE OUT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
ATTENTION EDITORS – VISUAL COVERAGE OF SCENES OF INJURY OR DEATH Rescue workers treat victims at the airport, in this image taken from television video, after a blast in Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2016. REUTERS/RTL Belgium via Reuters TV ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. BELGIUM OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN BELGIUM. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS. TEMPLATE OUT
Belgian police and emergency personnel secure the Rue de la Loi following an explosion in Maalbeek metro station in Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2016. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler
ATTENTION EDITORS – VISUAL COVERAGE OF SCENES OF INJURY OR DEATH A man is seen at the airport, after blasts in Brussels, Belgium, in this still image taken from video, March 22, 2016. REUTERS/RTL Belgium via Reuters TV ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. BELGIUM OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN BELGIUM. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS.
ATTENTION EDITORS – VISUAL COVERAGE OF SCENES OF INJURY OR DEATH A man is seen at the airport, after blasts in Brussels, Belgium, in this still image taken from video, March 22, 2016. REUTERS/RTL Belgium via Reuters TV ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. BELGIUM OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN BELGIUM. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS.
ATTENTION EDITORS – VISUAL COVERAGE OF SCENES OF INJURY OR DEATH Victims are seen at the airport, in this image taken from television video, after a blast in Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2016. REUTERS/RTL Belgium via Reuters TV ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. BELGIUM OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN BELGIUM. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS. TEMPLATE OUT.
“Un hombre gritó unas palabras en árabe y escuché una gran explosión”, contó a la AFP Alphonse Lyoura, que trabaja en la seguridad del equipaje de los vuelos hacia África y se encontraba cerca de lugar del primer estallido.
“Era el pánico general. Me escondí y esperé cinco, seis minutos. Algunas personas vinieron a pedirme ayuda”, agregó, con las manos aún ensangrentadas.
“Ayudé al menos a siete heridos. Retiraron cinco cuerpos que ya no se movían”, continuó, explicando que “muchos perdieron las piernas”.
“Veía gente en el suelo con sangre que ya no se movía. No estoy bien psicológicamente. Es el horror, Bélgica no merece esto”, dijo sin poder contener el llanto.
Valérien, otra testigo, afirmó haber visto “heridos por todos lados”. “Vi una madre que no tenía heridas pero su hijo estaba herido”, afirmó.
“Todo el mundo huía, todo el mundo buscaba un lugar para esconderse. Era el descontrol total”, señaló de su lado Michel Mpoy, de 65 años y que fue el aeropuerto a buscar a un amigo que llegaba de Kinshasa (República Democrática del Congo).
La doble explosión en el aeropuerto de Bruselas y al menos una tercera en una estación de metro de la capital belga dejaron este martes al menos una treintena de muertos y unos 200 heridos, según los últimos balances disponibles.
Los diferentes testimonios recogidos por la AFP coinciden en que la primera explosión tuvo lugar hacia las 08H00 locales (07H00 GMT).
Una hora más tarde, una periodista de la AFP vio unos cientos de personas evacuadas en el aeropuerto, llamando a sus familiares por teléfono.
“Oímos un gran bum”, afirmó Anne, que trabaja en el hall de partidas. “Creímos que era por los trabajos, ya que hay muchas obras, pero vimos personas llegar aterrorizadas”, continuó.
Algunas personas fueron evacuadas hacia una pista del aeropuerto y permanecieron allí al aire libre rodeadas por las fuerzas de seguridad.
Jean-Pierre Lebeau acababa de llegar al aeropuerto procedente de Ginebra cuando se produjo la primera explosión. “Sentí el impacto. El techo cayó y sentí olor a pólvora”.
– Vagón de metro destrozado –
A una decena de kilómetros del aeropuerto, poco después de las 09H00 locales (08H00 GMT) se produjo una tercera explosión en la estación de Maalbeek, en el corazón del barrio europeo de Bruselas.
La situación era muy confusa, con una gran nube de polvo que escapaba de la boca de salida del metro y el sonido de sirenas de ambulancias y patrulleros de la policía.
Un periodista de la AFP vio una quincena de personas en el suelo recibiendo primeros auxilios. Muchos de ellos tenían el rostro ensangrentado, algunos lloraban.
Imágenes retransmitidas por la televisión mostraban un vagón de metro completamente destrozado. Otro metro que circulaba en la dirección contraria también resultó dañado, según la compañía de transporte.
La escena se desarrolló a uno trescientos metros de los edificios de la Comisión Europa y otras sedes de la instituciones comunitarias en un horario en el cual cientos de funcionarios se dirigían a su trabajo.
Algunos relataban aliviados el modo azaroso por el cual escaparon a la explosión.
“Hoy fui al trabajo a pie. Habitualmente tomo el metro y bajo en Maalbeek. La gente lloraba en la calle. A nosotros nos bloquearon en las oficinas”, contó a la AFP Ariane Moret, una francesa que trabaja en la zona.
La policía estableció rápidamente un perímetro de seguridad cortando el tránsito en las avenidas principales del barrio, al tiempo que las autoridades pedían a las personas que permaneciesen al resguardo, ya fuese en su oficina o su hogar.