Ulster politician close to Brussels blast: '˜The whole place is in lockdown'

UUP MEP Jim Nicholson had driven right by the tube station which was hit earlier in the morning.

He was in the European parliament, about 500 yards (about 1,500ft) from the affected station when the blast struck.

He has been told to stay where he is and not move.

A siren could be heard on the line as he spoke to the News Letter.

“At this moment, one can go nowhere – Brussels is in total lockdown. All buses, trains, tubes, the Eurostar. Everything is closed. Nothing is moving,”

He added that Maelbeek station that was bombed is an integral part of “Euroland” – the whole EU zone in the city – and that the attack came at one of the busiest times of the day.

The airport was also hit.

“I did speak to one local person I know, who rang me to tell me that they saw people coming out of the Maelbeek station covered all in black, and blood, and everything.”

He concluded: “Whatever one may or may not agree about Europe, or whatever your position is, they are attacking the freedom of the people of Europe. And I think, like all terrorists, they can never be given in to.”

“Real sense of shock and fear here in Brussels. City in lockdown. Thoughts/prayers with those caught up in these senseless acts of terrorism,” tweeted DUP MEP Diane Dodds.

Sinn Fein MEP Martina Anderson was in England waiting to travel when the terrorists struck.

“Delegation going to Brussels from North is still in England - all safe and sound - thoughts and prayers with those injured in Brussels airport,” she tweeted.

She was among the 10 people from Londonderry who were part of a 100-strong delegation heading to Belgium to mark the 1916 Centenary ‘Gallant Allies in Europe’ event, which was scheduled to take place over the next two days.

Some of the delegation who had chosen to go by plane to Brussels meanwhile were turned back in mid-air this morning.

Speaking from the Eurotunnel station in London this morning, Martina Anderson told the Derry Journal: “As much as people here are shocked they are thankful we had chose to go this way as opposed to being in the airport.

“There are a lot of families who are obviously very anxious and there has been a continuous stream of calls from families to every member of the delegation to ensure they are OK.”

Ms Anderson added; “Some of the delegation were in the air and have been diverted to Amsterdam. We were in London about to go on Eurostar but now Brussels has gone into lock down.”

Ms Anderson added that the delegation were now planning to call off the trip and try to get air tickets home via Gatwick.

They are planning to make their way to the airport this morning.