Press release

COBR meeting on the Brussels attacks: 23 March 2016

The Prime Minister chaired a COBR meeting on the UK government response to terrorist attacks in Brussels, Belgium on 22 March 2016.

A Downing Street spokesperson said:

The Prime Minister chaired a further COBR meeting this morning on the Brussels attacks.

We are concerned about 1 missing British national and we are in close contact with the Belgian authorities. We are aware of 4 British nationals who were injured in the attacks – 3 are being treated in hospital, 1 has already been discharged. Our embassy staff are working to assist all British nationals affected.

In terms of travel advice, we continue to advise people to follow the advice of the Belgian authorities. Therefore we are no longer advising against travel to Brussels. British nationals in Belgium should remain alert and vigilant, stay away from crowded places, and follow the instructions of the Belgian authorities.

Here in the UK, we stepped up the security presence at a number of locations across the country yesterday and we will maintain this in the coming days. The national threat level remains at SEVERE (an attack is highly likely) and the public are advised to be ‘alert but not alarmed’.

Government departments will be observing a minutes silence at 11am UK time. The Prime Minister will update MPs at the start of Prime Minister’s Questions, followed by an oral statement from the Home Secretary later this afternoon setting out the government’s response to the attacks.

View the government’s updated travel advice for Brussels, Belgium. If you are affected or concerned about family and friends in Brussels, call +44 207 008 0000.

Published 23 March 2016