Three explosions, two at the Brussels airport and one on the subway system, left at least 31 people dead and dozens more injured. The first two bombs exploded at Zaventem airport at 07:00 GMT on Tuesday, March 22nd. Since the hours of several explosion around the city, Brussels’s airport and public transit system have been stopped. Both in and outside of Brussels, people needed rides and places to stay.
In the hours following the attacks Tuesday, the hashtag related to Brussels Attacks were trending on both Facebook and Twitter.
Under the hashtag #PorteOuverte “OpenDoor”, #ikwilhelpen “I want to help”, #Opendoor #Openhouse, others to open their doors and to raise awareness that people are stranded. Just as Parisian used the hashtag on social media to offer shelter and assistance, Brussels residents reached out to those who might need help, letting people know they are willing to give a hand. According to BuzzFeed, The original hashtag was created by Alexandre Alaphilippe, a communications manager, who occasionally works with the emergency services.
Drivers have also offered stranded commuters a lift after train service was suspended. Commuters helped to offer available spot in their car, emergency carpools to get people where people needed to go. Numerous taxi drivers have been going to the Brussels airport and offering free rides to passengers.
The support on social media extends far beyond Brussels, with people around the world posting messages of under the hashtags #BrusselsWelcome, #PrayforBelgium. Also in the wake of the Paris shootings, #WeareallBrussels and #JeSuisBruxellesan “I am Brussels” are spreading on social media a worldwide symbol of support for the victims of the 2015 assault on the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo.
The Bourse plaza in central Brussels has been filled with hundreds of chalk messages expressing defiance, solidarity and grief over the attacks. Show your support by using the hashtags on social media for Brussels Attacks across the globe.
