In pics: Panic grips Brussels after string of explosions

Two explosions were heard at Brussels airport on Tuesday during the morning rush hour as hundreds of passengers were trying to check in.

Reports said at least 21 people were killed and 35 injured.

Graphic images surfaced on the social media showing some of those injured in the blasts. Hindustan Times could not independently verify the posts.

The blasts centred on an American Airlines desk in a departure hall.

Niels Caignau, a Swissport employee, told Flemish broadcaster VRT: “The windows are completely shattered. People went outside in shock. It doesn’t look good.”

Don't come to the airport - airport is being evacuated. Avoid the airport area. Flights have been cancelled.

— Brussels Airport (@BrusselsAirport) 22 March 2016

Here is the scene at the airport after the explosions, in pictures:

A victim receives first aid by rescuers, on Tuesday after two explosions ripped through the Brussels airport. (AFP Photo)

A security perimeter near Maalbeek metro station in Brussels. (AFP Photo)

Injured people at the scene of the triple blasts at Zaventem airport near Brussels on Tuesday. (REUTERS)

Broken windows of the Zaventem airport. (REUTERS)

People leave the scene of the explosions at Zaventem airport near Brussels, Belgium on Tuesday. (REUTERS)

Two women walk away from Brussels airport after explosions rocked the facility in Brussels, Belgium on Tuesday. (AP Photo)

People react as they walk away from the Brussels airport after the explosions. Explosions ripped through the airport and the subway system on Tuesday. (AP)

People at the scene of the explosions at Zaventem airport near Brussels, Belgium. (REUTERS)

People walk away from Brussels airport. (AP Photo)

Emergency services personnel assist a woman after an explosion hit a metro station in Brussels on Tuesday. (AP)

Two women wounded in the explosions at Brussels Airport on Tuesday. (AP Photo)

Emergency rescue workers assist an unidentified person at the site of an explosion at a metro station in Brussels, Belgium on Tuesday. (AP Photo)

Airport workers embrace as they leave the scene of the explosions at Zaventem airport near Brussels. (REUTERS)

People leave the scene of the two explosions at Zaventem airport, near Brussels. (REUTERS)

Emergency services at the scene of explosions at Zaventem airport near Brussels on Tuesday. (REUTERS)

Black smoke is seen rising from the Brussels airport following the two explosions. (REUTERS)

All flights have been cancelled, arriving planes have been diverted and Belgium's terror alert level has been raised to maximum. (@AAhronheim on Twitter)

The damaged airport building. (REUTERS)

A view of the check-in area of Brussels airport after the blast. (@wardmarkey on Twitter)

An image shared on social media showed smoke rising from the Zaventem airport in Brussels on Tuesday. (Twitter)

Cars on a blocked highway near Zaventem, Brussels National airport, on Tuesday after the two explosions that killed at least one person and injured several others. (AFP Photo)

A general view of the Zaventem's international airport near Brussels. (REUTERS File Photo)