The whole of Europe has been hit: Hollande on Brussels suicide bombings

Paris: Today's attacks in Brussels that killed at least 26 people struck at "the whole of Europe", French President Francois Hollande said.

"Through the attacks in Brussels, the whole of Europe has been hit," Hollande said in a statement, urging the continent to take "vital steps in the face of the seriousness of the threat.

"France which was itself attacked in January and November last year is fully engaged in that. France will implacably continue the fight against terrorism both on the international level and at home."

The November 13 attacks in Paris claimed 130 lives 10 months after attacks on the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish supermarket left 17 dead.

French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve earlier announced that Paris was deploying 1,600 additional police to border crossings and air, sea and rail infrastructure after the Brussels attacks.