2016 Brussels bombings

== Reactions ==
{{Main|Reactions to the 2016 Brussels bombings}}
[[File:Flight in Mind (1).jpg|thumb|The sculpture ''Flight in Mind'' by the artist [[Olivier Strebelle]] was damaged in the attacks. After some months of restoration, the sculpture was relocated to an outdoor area of the airport. It is seen here on the 1st anniversary of the attacks.]]

On the evening of 22 March 2016, [[Philippe of Belgium|King Philippe]] gave a televised address to the nation.
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.europe1.fr/international/plusieurs-explosions-a-laeroport-de-zaventem-de-bruxelles-2699089|title=Journée de terreur à Bruxelles|date=23 March 2016|work=[[Europe 1]]|access-date=20 March 2023|archive-date=20 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320223201/https://www.europe1.fr/international/plusieurs-explosions-a-laeroport-de-zaventem-de-bruxelles-2699089|url-status=live}}</ref> The following day, he and [[Queen Mathilde of Belgium|Queen Mathilde]] visited the airport, as well as some of the injured in hospital.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35879141|title=Brussels attacks: Two brothers behind Belgium bombings|date=23 March 2016|work=BBC News|access-date=20 March 2023|archive-date=20 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320223201/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35879141|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the attacks, a number of structures around the world were illuminated in the colours of the [[Flag of Belgium|Belgian flag]], including the [[Brandenburg Gate]] in Berlin, the [[Burj Khalifa]] in Dubai, the [[Eiffel Tower]] in Paris, the [[National Gallery]] in London's [[Trafalgar Square]], the [[Royal Palace of Amsterdam|Royal Palace]] in Amsterdam, and the [[Trevi Fountain]] in Rome.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ruiz|first=Ulises|title=Cities lit up in tribute to Brussels victims - in pictures|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2016/mar/23/brussels-victims-cities-lit-up-tribute-in-pictures|access-date=23 March 2016|work=The Guardian|date=23 March 2016|archive-date=23 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323081501/http://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2016/mar/23/brussels-victims-cities-lit-up-tribute-in-pictures|url-status=live}}</ref> In New York City, the [[One World Trade Center]] was lit up, while the [[spire]] of the [[Empire State Building]] went dark.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/One-World-Trade-Center-to-Display-Belgian-Colors-373111321.html|title=One World Trade Center to Display Belgian Colors|publisher=NBCUniversal Media, LLC|date=22 March 2016|access-date=22 March 2016|archive-date=24 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324211631/http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/One-World-Trade-Center-to-Display-Belgian-Colors-373111321.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Hours after the attack, the French-language [[hashtag]] #JeSuisBruxelles (#IamBrussels) and images of the Belgian comic character [[Tintin (character)|Tintin]] crying trended on social media sites.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dw.com/en/jesuisbruxelles-a-picture-of-grief-is-worth-a-thousand-words/a-19134144 |title=#JeSuisBruxelles: A picture is worth a thousand words |date=22 March 2016 |work=[[DW News]] |access-date=20 March 2023 |archive-date=20 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320223200/https://www.dw.com/en/jesuisbruxelles-a-picture-of-grief-is-worth-a-thousand-words/a-19134144 |url-status=live }}</ref> Also, hashtags such as #ikwilhelpen (#Iwanttohelp) and #PorteOuverte (#Opendoor) were used by Brussels residents who wanted to offer shelter and assistance for people who might need help.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/brussels-attacks-hashtags-social-media-help/ |title=Hashtags offer help in wake of Brussels attacks |date=22 March 2016 |work=[[CBS News]] |access-date=20 March 2023 |archive-date=20 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320223200/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/brussels-attacks-hashtags-social-media-help/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Facebook]] activated its Safety Check feature following the attacks.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kraft|first1=Amy|title=Facebook activates Safety Check after Brussels attacks|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/brussels-attacks-facebook-activates-safety-check-feature/|website=CBS News|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=25 March 2016|archive-date=25 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325134832/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/brussels-attacks-facebook-activates-safety-check-feature/|url-status=live}}</ref>

While there was overwhelming support for Belgium, some used the attacks to support their political views and debate the issue of Islam in Western countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/03/brusselsattacks-islam-social-media-160323032531306.html|title=#BrusselsAttacks: Grief, Islam and double standards|access-date=24 October 2017|archive-date=25 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025073339/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/03/brusselsattacks-islam-social-media-160323032531306.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Some expressed concern over the disproportionate emphasis placed on the attacks in Brussels over similar attacks in other countries, particularly in Turkey, where an [[March 2016 Istanbul bombing|attack]] had occurred just days before.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/turkey-brussels-attacks_us_56f1628ce4b03a640a6bb0d5|title=Turks, Reeling From String of Deadly Terrorist Attacks, React To Brussels Carnage: 'I Share Their Pain'|date=22 March 2016|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=17 April 2020|archive-date=22 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122000405/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/turkey-brussels-attacks_us_56f1628ce4b03a640a6bb0d5|url-status=live}}</ref>