People are angry because Facebook hasn't activated its 'Safety Check' feature yet after the deadly Brussels attacks
REUTERS/Brian Snyder
On Tuesday morning, there were two explosions at an airport in Brussels, Belgium - as well as further explosions at city Metro stations. 13 are reportedly dead, and dozens more are injured.
There have immediately been calls for Facebook to activate its "Safety Check" feature, a tool that allows people in the area to check themselves in as safe following natural disasters or terror attacks. (The Independent previously reported on these calls.)
It was activated in Paris following the deadly terror attacks in November 2015 - the first time it was used in the aftermath of a non-natural disaster. Since then it has been activated following attacks in Nigeria and Ankara, Turkey.
But around two hours after the Brussels attacks, it's not yet active in Belgium - prompting some frustration. There are multiple reports that phone lines and mobile networks are being overloaded, making it difficult for people to contact loved ones to check they are safe.
Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It's possible that the social network is waiting to be sure there is no risk of further attacks in the city before activating the feature.
Can @Facebook turn on the 'safety check' feature in Belgium already? such a useful thing… if it gets turned on quickly in events like these.
- Robin Wauters (@robinwauters) March 22, 2016
Hey @facebook, all the lines are saturated in #Brussels, if you could bring out your safety check feature rn that'd be swell, thanks !
- Fanny Lannoy (@fannylannoy) March 22, 2016
Where is your safety check tool for #Brussels, @Facebook?
- Laurens Soenen (@LaurensSoenen) March 22, 2016
Belgium friends are asking why Facebook has not switched on their safety check feature yet. Frantic asking around if everybody is ok.
- Wessel van Rensburg (@wildebees) March 22, 2016
Hey @facebook, time to launch safety check for #Brussels!
- Florian Döllner (@FlorianDoellner) March 22, 2016
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