Brussels attacks: ‘The city doesn’t feel like itself’

Kate Kenward was staying in an apartment yards away from an operation in the Schaerbeek area of the city, as authorities hunted perpetrators behind twin blasts which killed over 30 people and injured hundreds more at Zaventem airport and Maalbeek metro station.

The Aito executive director and husband Paul were held in a police cordon for several hours as anti-terror agents searched a nearby house in the neighbourhood after Islamic State claimed responsibility for the explosions.

Kenward told TTG: “The house they were investigating was just 50 yards down the street from our apartment and everybody was there. They had vehicles to deal with a chemical attack, ambulances and fire engines and all sorts of secret service members. We had gone to the cafe at midday then later that afternoon all of a sudden the place was surrounded.

“There were local families in there with us and even a woman in her dressing gown. Police had told them they had to get out of their homes.”

According to BBC News, the operation uncovered a nail bomb, chemicals that could be used to make more bombs, and a black IS flag.

It was carried out after a tip-off from a taxi driver who had unwittingly driven three suspected bombers to the airport.

“Our apartment was about five doors outside of the cordon and we were let out around 8pm,” continued Kenward. “We weren’t allowed back to go back there so along with a Danish tourist we had met took a taxi into town and found another hotel for the night.”