Tufts students, faculty in Europe confirmed safe after Brussels terror attacks

All Tufts students and faculty studying or traveling in Europe are confirmed safe, following terrorist attacks in Brussels early Tuesday morning where at least 31 people were killed and 270 injured.

According to Sheila Bayne, director of Tufts Programs Abroad, students studying in Europe at the university's study abroad programs in Europe or at non-Tufts programs have been accounted for, including students who are on spring break and are traveling within Europe.

"All indications are that no Tufts students were in Brussels yesterday," Bayne, who is also the associate dean of undergraduate education, told the Daily in an email.

Bayne explained that resident directors of Tufts study abroad programs in Europe have been in touch with the students in their programs in the wake of the attack in the Belgian capital. These programs are located in cities such as London, Oxford, Paris, Madrid, Alcalá de Henares and Tübingen, according to the Tufts Student Life website.

Administrators of non-Tufts programs have also contacted the university about the status of Tufts students, Bayne said. Students studying at non-Tufts programs in Europe this semester are enrolled in programs within the Institute for the International Education of Students (IES), Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA) at Butler University, Trinity University, Boston University, Middlebury University and College Year in Athens.

According to Claudia Jackson, the program manager of International Safety and Operations, there are no known Tufts travelers, either students or faculty, who were in Brussels during yesterday's attacks.

"We do have Tufts travelers in Western Europe, and our international security assistance provider, International SOS, has been in touch with such travelers," Jackson told the Daily in an email.

The terrorist attacks in Brussels involved two explosions at the city's Zaventem airport and the Maelbeek metro station, which the militant group ISIS has claimed responsibility for carrying out, according to a March 23 article in the New York Times. Two of the suicide bombers, Belgian nationals and brothers, have since been identified in carrying out the attacks.

The violence comes in the wake of the capture of one of the most sought-after suspects of last November's terror attacks in Paris, where 130 were killed and more than 360 injured after coordinated bombings by ISIS, according to a Nov. 27 article in the Wall Street Journal.

Officials in Belgium have since declared three days of national mourning, with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel calling the tragedy a "black moment for our country," according to Mar. 22 articles from CNN and NBC News.

"To those who have chosen to be barbarous enemies of freedom, democracy and fundamental values ... we remain united as one," Michel said. "We are determined to defend our freedoms and to protect our liberties."

To inquire about U.S. citizens currently in Brussels, please call 1-888-407-4747.