Deng Jingquan named as Chinese national in transit at airport when Brussels attacks tore through city, killing him and at least 31 others

Deng Jingquan from China was among the casualties from Tuesday’s Islamic State suicide bombings at Brussels airport, the South China Morning Post has confirmed. Chinese government officials said yesterday that a Chinese national with the surname Deng had been killed in the attacks, without providing any further details. At least 31 dead after terrorist attack on Brussels; bomb blasts hit airport and metro station However, he is now known to have been transiting to a country in Eastern Europe at the time. He is believed to have survived the initial blasts but died later at a hospital in the city. His family have been informed and the embassy said it will continue to stay in close contact with them and the Belgian authorities. The attacks at the airport and at a metro station in the Belgian capital killed at least 31 people and injured some 300, some of whom are still in critical condition. In the past few days, images and basic information about Deng, also known by the name Frank, have been shared on social media after he was reported missing on Tuesday. The 24-year-old man was at Zaventem Airport at the time of the first explosions on March 22. He was waiting to board flight JP377 that was scheduled to depart at 9.05am (local time) for the Slovenian capital Ljubljana. “We express our deep condolences over the death of our Chinese compatriot and strong condemnation of the criminal act of the terrorists,” the Chinese embassy posted on its website. Identification of he victims has been slow, partly because of the damage wrought by the blasts as well as the fact that many involved are foreigners, Belgium media have reported. Some 40 nationalities are thought to be among those who died or who were wounded. The embassy added that there are still some Chinese citizens stranded in Brussels due to the closure of the airport. Earlier, a senior US official said two Americans were killed in Tuesday’s attacks, as US Secretary of State John Kerry met with Belgian leaders and offered condolences and help. Brussels attacks: six arrested in anti-terror raids, as security failings emerge The official did not offer specifics on where the Americans died, saying only that two had been confirmed killed. Kerry, travelling back to Washington after talks in Moscow, stopped in Belgium to demonstrate solidarity after the attacks, which killed 31 people and injured hundreds of others. “The United States is praying and grieving with you for the loved ones of those cruelly taken from us, including Americans, and for the many who were injured in these despicable attacks,” Kerry said after meeting Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel. “The United States stands firmly with Belgium and with the nations of Europe in the face of this tragedy,” he said. “We will continue to provide any assistance necessary in investigating these heinous acts of terrorism and bringing those responsible to justice,” Kerry added. First Boston, now Brussels ... the teenager who survived two deadly terror bombings Michel offered his condolences for the death of the Americans, but did not elaborate. “We want to cooperate with you, do our best with you in order to face these very sensitive issues,” he said. At the same time, Britain’s Foreign Officer said a British citizen died during the attacks in Brussels earlier this week. They confirmed that David Dixon, a computer programmer living in Brussels, was killed in the bombing on the Brussels subway. Officials said seven other British nationals were injured, too. Dixon’s family has asked for privacy and indicated no statements will be made. Reuters contributed to this story