University of Illinois Study Abroad Students, Faculty Safe after Terror Attacks in Brussels

Study abroad students from the University of Illinois stationed in Belgium have been confirmed safe Tuesday, following terrorist attacks in Brussels.

All 53 students and four professors currently in the country have been accounted for, UI Assistant Director for International Safety and Security Andrea Bordeau told The News-Gazette.

The group includes those students who traveled to the country for short trips over spring break, as well as those there for semester-long programs. University staff early Tuesday began efforts to contact the students via social media, email or text messaging, Bordeau said. Most were located outside Brussels, not near the attacks.

The University will be in touch with parents over the next 24 hours.

The students could be delayed in returning home, as the main airport in Brussels remains shutdown after the attacks. The students might be rerouted to different airports.

ISIS has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attacks, which killed 30 and injured at least 230. The Islamic State terror group claimed responsibility for the airport and subway bombings, which come four days after the capture of Europe’s most wanted man, Salah Abdeslam. He was taken into custody Friday for his connection to the November attacks in Paris that killed 130 people.

European airports tightened security in the aftermath of the Brussels attack, as did airports and transit centers in New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and other major U.S. cities. Extra police officers and canine units were deployed to O'Hare International Airport, Midway International Airport and CTA stations in Chicago.

• Brussels Bombings: Terror Attacks Coverage