Islamic State claims Brussels terror attacks

Rome: The Islamic State group has reportedly claimed the terrorist blasts at the Brussels airport and a city metro station on Tuesday and pledged to stage similar attacks in Europe.

IS's Amaq news agency took credit for the Brussels attacks, praising their "planning, rapid execution and dynamism" on the Telegram messaging application, Egyptian daily El-Watan reported.

The message also vowed "further similar operations in Europe", according to El-Watan.

At least 14 people are believed to have died in two explosions at the Zaventem airport and 20 more in the bombing at the Maelbeek metro station about an hour later.

At least one of the explosions was caused by a suicide bomber, Belgium's federal prosecutor was quoted as saying.