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Slovakia steps up security after several blasts in Brussels

Xinhua, March 22, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Slovak interior ministry and the police corps presidium have put extraordinary security measures in place following the explosions in Brussels on Tuesday morning, confirmed Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico after a meeting of the country's security council on Tuesday.

"Slovakia could increase the degree of security alert from very low. This would happen for the first time in the history of country," announced Fico.

"We're dispatching an increased number of police officers to patrol the streets and to focus on traffic junctions, airports and bus and railway stations. Police patrols will be strengthened also in locations that see mass movements of people, such as shopping centers," added interior minister Robert Kalinak.

According to media reports, at least 26 people were killed and 136 injured in the explosions at the airport and on a city subway train in Brussels.

Slovak President Andrej Kiska expressed deep condolences with the families of the victims.

"Any such act should encourage all people in the Europe to even a greater unity, solidarity and common struggle against extremism," stressed Kiska. Endit