SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has expressed his solidarity with the people of Belgium following a number of explosions in Brussels yesterday.
Mr Eastwood also expressed his deep sympathy following the death of a significant number of civilians in the blasts at Zaventem airport and Maalbeek metro station.
A total of 34 people died and more than 200 people were injured during the blasts.
Belgium will hold a minute’s silence this morning at 11 am for all those who died and were injured.
The Foyle MLA said: “The scenes from Brussels yesterday morning were deeply shocking.
“The attacks on civilian transport networks were clearly a calculated attempt to cause maximum devastation. It is absolutely sickening.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Brussels.
“The loss of even one innocent represents an attack on all of us, across Europe, committed to the key value of the European project – peace.
“The people of Ireland and Belgium are bound together by our unyielding common commitment to that peace for people across our continent, regardless of national identity.
“These scenes have become more common over recent months but we can never become numb to this horrifying and heart-breaking inhumanity.
“Our resolve as Europeans must be strengthened.
“We must stand united by our common values, opposed to those who seek to break us and indivisible in the face of terror.
“The people of Belgium remain in our prayers at this difficult time,” added Mr Eastwood.
