Following a series of suicide bombings at an airport and subway train in Brussels, people took to Twitter to help each other out. Just as with the French community during the Paris attacks of last year, the Belgian community is coming together on social media during their moment of crisis.
Under various hashtags, residents are offering shelter to those affected by the attacks.
#PorteOuverte, which means “open door,” #ikwilhelpen, translated to “I want to help,” #Opendoor, #Openhouse, and #BrusselsWelcome are hashtags being used to help people that are stranded.
Hey, if you are stuck in #Brussels with no place to stay, send a message, we have food and couch to welcome you! #opendoors #PorteOuverte
— SebastienPensis (@SebastienPensis) March 22, 2016
I have a place to sleep this night for stranded people (max 2) in the center of Brussels #BrusselsOpenDoors #ikwilhelpen #PorteOuverte
— Annelies De Weerdt (@anneliesdwt) March 22, 2016
If you’re stuck in #Brussels and need sleep/food/coffee, my door near Sainte-Catherine is open #brusselsopendoors #Porteouverte #Opendoor
— Juliette Sanchez-L. (@JSanchezLambert) March 22, 2016
#OpenHouse #PorteOuverte #ikwilhelpen #Brussels I have space in EVERE (in between the airport and the city center)
— Vince Bulté (@VINCEBULTE) March 22, 2016
After flights were cancelled and diverted, and public transportation was shutdown, people went on Twitter to offer assistance.
Can accomodate you if you’re stuck in Zaventem. Contact me in DM #OpenHouse #brusselsattack
— Greet Mandelings (@gmandelings) March 22, 2016
Si des gens qui devaient prendre l'avion sont bloqués à #Bruxelles / ou d'autres ok pour les accuellir #PorteOuverte
— Sylvain Lapoix (@SylvainLapoix) March 22, 2016
Meanwhile, Facebook has activated its Safety Check feature, where people can mark if they are safe following the attacks.
Safety Check was first used in April 2015 after the devastating earthquake in Nepal and was also activated during the Paris attacks.
At least 31 people were killed and dozens were left wounded after the attacks in Brussels. The capital is on lockdown and on high alert.
Meanwhile, ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.