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EC senior officials express concerns over Brussels explosions

Xinhua, March 22, 2016 Adjust font size:

Officials of the European Commission have voiced concerns over Tuesday's explosions in Brussels.

The European Commission spokesperson declined to comment when asked if the explosion on Tuesday on a subway train at Maelbeek station in the European Union (EU) district of Brussels was an attack aimed at the European Union and EU institutions at the midday briefing here on Tuesday.

Maelbeek metro station is only one stop away from where the European Commission's Berlaymont building is located.

Margaritis Schinas, European Commission chief spokesperson, said this question would be left to "Belgian authorities."

"Here in the European Union capital, we stand together, united and against terror, in full solidarity with the people of Brussels," said the spokesperson.

European Commissioner Marianne Thyssen, who is in charge of employment, social affairs, skills and labor mobility, said in a statement, "my first thoughts go to the victims of the terrible attacks."

She reiterated that the European Commission was "in close contact with Belgian authorities."

"This is an attack on the European values," stressed the commissioner.

As many as 34 people were killed and 136 injured in explosions on Tuesday at Brussels airport and on a city subway train, according to media reports. Endit