French financial group Axa has confirmed an employee in its Belgium office has been hospitalised as a result of the Brussels attacks on Tuesday.
31 people were killed and 250 were injured as a result of the explosions at Brussels airport and at a metro station on Tuesday.
Axa confirmed that the man is employed at the company’s Brussels office, which is home to the group’s buy-side operation Axa Investment Managers Benelux.
A spokesman for AXA Belgium said that the employee’s family and girlfriend have been informed of the incident.
He said: “Unfortunately, we have been aware of one injured amid our staff and our thoughts go out to him and his related, as well as to all persons affected by these attacks.”
The severity of the man's injuries is not yet known. Axa’s staff were asked to remain within the office building yesterday, and organise car-sharing to ensure everyone got home safely.
Financial services with offices across Brussels have taken similar precautions
A spokesperson at BNP Paribas Fortis, which is located just 20 minutes from the airport where the attack took place, said that the firm had taken measures to ensure the safety of staff.
Bags are being checked on arrival and staff are required to wear a visible badge to identify themselves.
Staff were not permitted to enter or leave the building between 10.00am and 4.15pm, ensuring a complete lockdown.
Today, BNP Paribas Fortis’ staff have been asked to work from home, except for a few critical staff members, according to the spokesperson.
Euroclear’s headquarters is also based in Brussels, and the company explained: “We activated our related contingency plans and protocols in order to secure and protect our people, and ensure the resiliency of our services to clients and the financial markets.”
Since the attacks earlier this week, security at airports and in cities has been stepped up across Europe and the US as a precaution.