IN PHOTOS: Brussels explosions and aftermath

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IN PHOTOS: Brussels explosions and aftermath

EPA

Two explosions target the main hall of Zaventem Airport at around 8:00 am (0700 GMT), with a third hitting the Maalbeek metro station near the European Union's main buildings

BRUSSELS, Belgium — Brussels was rocked on Tuesday, March 22, by multiple blasts, that killed at least 26 and injured many more.

As emergency responders and crisis teams race to help victims of the blasts, Europe stands in unison against this “black day” against democracy.

EVACUATED. Passengers and airport staff are evacuated from the terminal building after explosions at Brussels Airport in Zaventem near Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2016. Photo by Laurent Dubrule/EPA

EMERGENCY RESPONSE. Emergency workers and police at Rue de la Loi, after an explosion at Malbeek Metro station, Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2016. Photo by Olivier Hoslet/EPA

UNDER WATCH. Passengers and airport staff are evacuated from the terminal building after explosions at Brussels Airport in Zaventem near Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2016. Photo by Laurent Dubrule/EPA

CHECKING IN WITH OFFICIALS. Travellers check with officials as they are assembled at a sports hall in Zaventem in Brussel, Belgium, March 22, 2016. Photo by Jonas Roosens/EPA

ASSEMBLED. Travellers are assembled at a sports hall in Zaventem in Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2016. Photo by Jonas Roosens/EPA

French President Francois Hollande said of the attack on Brussels: “The whole of Europe has been hit.”

He urged Europe to take “vital steps in the face of the seriousness of the threat.”

Meanwhile, other countries, such as Spain, Sweden, Russia, and Italy have both stood in solidarity with Belgium and prepared themselves by increasing security and, in some cases, freezing the air and rail links with Brussels as a precautionary measure.

CRISIS MEETING. French President Francois Hollande (C) speaks with Prime Minister Manuel Valls (R) and Minister of Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian (L) after they hold a crisis defense meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, March 22, 2016. Photo by Ian Langsdon/EPA

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL. A picture taken on March 22, 2016 shows a helicopter flying over the Prime Minister's office where a meeting of the National Security Council is held, in Brussels, after a string of explosions rock Brussels airport and a city metro station. Photo by Belga/AFP

Aside from the twin blasts at Zaventem Airport, a third explosion hit Maalbeek metro station near the European Union’s main buildings as commuters attempted to make their way to work in rush hour.

Pierre Meys, spokesman for the Brussels fire brigade, told AFP at least 11 people had been killed at the airport, while transport operator STIB said at least 15 others had died in the underground blast and 55 were wounded.

MAALBEEK METRO BLAST. 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. Photo by Seppe Knapen/Belga/AFP

LEAVING THE TRAIN BEHIND. A picture provided by Twitter user @evanlamos shows passengers leaving a metro train between the Arts-Lois and Maelbeek metro stations after an explosion at Maelbeek station in Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2016. Photo by EVAN LAMOS/EURACTIV/EPA

SECURITY PERIMETER. A police officer sets a security perimeter near Maalbeek metro station, on March 22, 2016 in Brussels, after a blast at this station near the EU institutions caused deaths and injuries. Photo by Emmanuel Dunand/AFP

CARING FOR THE WOUNDED. Emergency services take care of wounded people outside the Maalbeek metro station in Brussels on March 22, 2016 after a blast at this station located near the EU institutions. Photo by Marija Ivoninaite/AFP

FIRST AID. A victim gets first aid from 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. Photo by Emmanuel Dunand/AFP

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