Brussels terror attacks: David Cameron calls emergency Cobra meeting to determine UK response to explosions

Security heightened at Heathrow and Gatwick airports as all flights to and from the Belgian capital are cancelled

Mr Cameron said he was 'shocked and concerned by the events in Brussels' (Getty Images)

David Cameron will chair a meeting of the Government’s Cobra emergency committee later this morning to determine the UK's response to the Brussels terror attacks.

Security has been heightened at both Heathrow and Gatwick airports, while all Eurostar trains and flights to and from the Belgian capital have been cancelled.

The Foreign Office issued new travel advice in response to the bombings at Brussels Zaventum airport on the city’s metro system, which are reported to have killed at least 21 people.

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British citizens have been advised to stay away from crowded places and to avoid public transport.

Belgian authorities have raised the terror alert in the country to its highest level. The UK terror alert level has been set at severe since August 2014, the second highest level, meaning a terror attack is considered highly likely.

The Cobra meeting will consider the security implications for the UK of events in Brussels. A Downing Street spokesperson said that the Government was “closely monitoring” events and were in touch with Belgian authorities.

Mr Cameron said he was “shocked and concerned by the events in Brussels” committing the UK to doing “everything we can to help”.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he was “extremely concerned” for those caught up in the attacks and pledged “solidarity” will all those affected, and the emergency services working on the ground.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said that we was “shocked and saddened”.

“The thoughts of Londoners are with the victims this morning,” he said.

The Foreign Office has released a helpline number for UK citizens concerned about family and friends in Brussels: 00 44 207 008 0000