Brussels marks one year since deadly attacks

Brussels is remembering on Wednesday the victims of its airport and metro attacks, exactly one year after ISIL suicide bombers struck, killing 32 people.

Belgium’s King Philippe led commemorations, beginning with a sombre ceremony at Zaventem airport.

The names of the 16 people killed there were read out and a minute’s silence was observed.

Representatives from the emergency services, relatives of the dead, survivers and staff took part.

Ceremonies continued at Maelbeek Metro Station where a second suicide attack took place on March 22, 2016, also killing 16 people.

The bloodshed in Brussels came four months after ISIL bombings and shootings in Paris that left
130 people dead.

Both sets of attacks were carried out by related cells of young Muslims, some of whom had returned from fighting in Syria.

Since then, Belgium has remained on high alert as it tries to curtail threats both at home and from militants who may return from the Middle East.