Brussels terror attacks: West Midlands UKIP MEP Bill Etheridge caught up in aftermath of blasts
At least 34 people have been killed and many more injured after terrorist bomb attacks on the main airport and the Metro system in Brussels.
West Midlands UKIP MEP Bill Etheridge was at the European Parliament which is close to the Maelbeek Metro station was was hit by an explosion.
The coordinated attacks came as the Belgian capital was on high alert following the arrest of Paris atrocity suspect Salah Abdeslam in the city last week.
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A suicide bomber struck near the American Airlines desk at the airport, with local media reporting that shots were fired amid shouting in Arabic.
The explosion on the Metro is also close to the the US embassy.
Mr Etheridge described the scenes in Brussels this morning: "I arrived at parliament around 8.20am just after the explosions must have happened.
"The exit of the Metro station is just around the corner from the parliament.
"There are lots of soldiers around at the moment.
"The main square outside is usually packed but there are just a handful of media and tourists there at the moment.
"There is quite an armed presence.
"No visitors are being allowed inside the parliament at the moment.
"MEPs have got to go through security checks."
Mr Etheridge, who is also a Dudley councillor, said parliamentary business had been suspended in the wake of the explosions.
He added: "Ever since the Paris attacks you have seen an increased level of security everywhere.
"Armed officers with rifles have been on patrol.
"Armed cars on street corners. It has been like this for months."
