Brussels: "Brussels I love you" says the message written in chalk on a historic city square, a place for raucous celebration that has become a scene of grief after Belgium's worst terror attack.
Wrapped in the national flag and carrying candles and flowers, Belgians flocked in their hundreds to the Place de la Bourse in the ancient heart of the city to grieve as the country held three days of national mourning.
The Belgian capital, home to the European Union headquarters, was left reeling Tuesday after some 35 people were killed in bombings at Zaventem Airport and on a metro train.
"It's important to get together after moments like these," Leila Devin, 22, told AFP. "It shows we're united against terror."
"Tonight I am Belgian," he said, full of emotion.
In London, pictures on social media showed the O2 stadium lit up by mobile phone screens as popstar Adele asked fans to "take a moment for Brussels".
Near the Place de La Bourse square in Brussels, the usually bustling pedestrian streets of the city centre were nearly empty, with many shops closed.
"It's sad, it's unfortunate, it's shocking," said Sofiane, an Algerian student, who had come to pay her respects.
All day, the sound of police and ambulance sirens echoed through the streets, with roads cut off by heavily armed soldiers and police officers.
But on the square, where the country traditionally celebrates the victories of its "Red Devils" footballers, the crowd continued to swell.
Like Belgium's football team, the attacks have sparked a rare moment of unity in a country that is normally deeply divided between its French and Flemish-speaking communities.
"My mother and I came to show we're proud of being Belgian and that we're not scared. Because this morning I was terrified," said Analphia Desmet, a 22-year-old communications student.
As more and more flowers were placed on the square, the crowd joined together to sing John Lennon's "Imagine".
Mourners waved banners saying "Brussels is beautiful" and "Je Suis Bruxelles" (I am Brussels) -- a reference to the slogan that became a rallying cry after the attacks on Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris last year.
"We're here to say we're not scared, there's a dozen of them, but we are thousands," said Belgian student Juliette.
Wrapped in the national flag and carrying candles and flowers, Belgians flocked in their hundreds to the Place de la Bourse in the ancient heart of the city to grieve as the country held three days of national mourning.
The Belgian capital, home to the European Union headquarters, was left reeling Tuesday after some 35 people were killed in bombings at Zaventem Airport and on a metro train.
"It's important to get together after moments like these," Leila Devin, 22, told AFP. "It shows we're united against terror."
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"Tonight I am Belgian," he said, full of emotion.
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(from top L) Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Eiffel Tower in Paris, Town council building in Belgrade, Trevi Fountain in Rome, Royal Palace at Dam Square in Amsterdam and Rome's Campidoglio. (AFP Photo)
In London, pictures on social media showed the O2 stadium lit up by mobile phone screens as popstar Adele asked fans to "take a moment for Brussels".
Near the Place de La Bourse square in Brussels, the usually bustling pedestrian streets of the city centre were nearly empty, with many shops closed.
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"It's sad, it's unfortunate, it's shocking," said Sofiane, an Algerian student, who had come to pay her respects.
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All day, the sound of police and ambulance sirens echoed through the streets, with roads cut off by heavily armed soldiers and police officers.
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People light candles in tribute to victims at a makeshift memorial in front of the stock exchange at the Place de la Bourse. (AFP Photo)
But on the square, where the country traditionally celebrates the victories of its "Red Devils" footballers, the crowd continued to swell.
Like Belgium's football team, the attacks have sparked a rare moment of unity in a country that is normally deeply divided between its French and Flemish-speaking communities.
"My mother and I came to show we're proud of being Belgian and that we're not scared. Because this morning I was terrified," said Analphia Desmet, a 22-year-old communications student.
As more and more flowers were placed on the square, the crowd joined together to sing John Lennon's "Imagine".
Mourners waved banners saying "Brussels is beautiful" and "Je Suis Bruxelles" (I am Brussels) -- a reference to the slogan that became a rallying cry after the attacks on Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris last year.
"We're here to say we're not scared, there's a dozen of them, but we are thousands," said Belgian student Juliette.
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