The kindness of strangers: Shelter and lifts offered to those stranded in Brussels

Support is in no short supply for those affected by events in Belgium this morning.

BRUSSELS RESIDENTS ARE opening their homes and offering lifts to those stranded following explosions at an airport and Metro station in the city.

Belgium’s terror alert has been raised to its highest level after at least 26 people were killed in the twin attacks this morning.

As security is tightened across the country, people are offering free shelter to travellers with the hashtags #OpenHouse, #IkWillHelpen and #PorteOuvert.

Porte ouvert, which means “open door” in English, was widely used in Paris after the terrorist attacks there in November.

Free house/shelter in Saint-Gilles (Maison communale/Town hall), be welcome. #OpenHouse #PorteOuvert
— Hadrien Gaillet (@Hadrien_g) March 22, 2016

Hadrien Gaillet / Twitter

#OpenHouse in Ixelles tonight. Wifi & couch. Contact me in DM if interested. #Brussels
— @Moirane@social.wxcafe.net (@Moirane) March 22, 2016

Juliette Dimet / Twitter

Others have been using the hashtag #BrusselsLift to offer free transport to those needing to leave the city.

A dedicated Twitter account, @BrusselsLift, has been set up to help connect people with drivers who have empty seats.

I'm driving frm #brussels to #meise (or anywhere else needed) later today,let me know if I can assist #brusselslift #solidarity #ikwilhelpen
— Virginie De Klippel (@deklippelv) March 22, 2016

Virginie De Klippel / Twitter

Free taxi rides have also reportedly been provided to members of the public.

In a sign of solidarity we are hearing that all taxi rides are now free in #Brussels. Thank you Brussels taxi drivers
— Cait Hayes (@ClontarfCait) March 22, 2016

Cait Hayes / Twitter

De taxi's in Brussel rijden gratis #vrtnieuws #brusselsattack
— VRT NWS (@vrtnws) March 22, 2016

VRT deredactie.be / Twitter

Live updates: At least 26 feared dead in Brussels airport and Metro attacks

More: Facebook has activated its Safety Check feature in Brussels

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