1st LD Writethru: Islamic State claims responsibility for Brussels attacks

The Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for Tuesday's terror attacks in the Belgian capital of Brussels, which killed at least 34 people and injured more than 100.

A statement published by the A'maq news agency, which is said linked to the extremist group, said: "Islamic State fighters carried out a series of bombings with explosive belts and devices on Tuesday, targeting an airport and a central metro station in the center of the Belgian capital Brussels, a country participating in the international coalition against the Islamic State."

The statement added: "Islamic State fighters opened fire inside Zaventem Airport, before several of them detonated their explosive belts, as a martyrdom bomber detonated his explosive belt in the Maelbeek metro station."

At least 34 people were killed in the series of attacks in Brussels on Tuesday morning, of whom 14 died in a suicide attack at Brussels national airport, Belgian public broadcaster RTBF said.

Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon has declared three days of national mourning following Tuesday's attacks. Enditem