Security stepped up across the Netherlands following Brussels explosions

Photo: Depositphotos.com
Photo: Depositphotos.com

Security has been stepped up at Dutch airports following the bomb blasts in Brussels on Tuesday which killed several people, Dutch counter-terrorism chief Dick Schoof has said.

There will be extra checks on the country’s southern borders and at Schiphol, Eindhoven and Rotterdam airports. ‘The security measures which are necessary are being taken,’ Schoof said. There is no reason to raise the Dutch threat level, the Volkskrant quotes him as saying.

All trains to Brussels airport have been stopped and all flights cancelled following the explosions. Air traffic which was en route for Brussels is being rerouted via Schiphol.

Military police will be out in force at Schiphol in what news agency ANP says will be ‘high profile’ patrols. However, there are no indications that Schiphol is a target, ANP says.

Police are also patrolling the country’s biggest railway stations, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht.

The Dutch cabinet met at 10.15 to discuss the situation and what further measures may be needed.

‘Belgium has once again been hit by a cowardly and murderous attack,’ prime minister Mark Rutte told reporters ahead of the meeting. ‘We are ready to help and support our neighbours in the south in any way we can.’

Rutte said he had been in touch with Belgian officials. ‘Much is still unclear but extra alertness is essential, in our country as well,’ he said.

More on the Brussels attacks

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