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Crowd gathers for heart-wrenching rendition of 'Imagine' after attacks on Brussels

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - MARCH 22: People hold up a banner as a mark of solidarity at the Place de la Bourse following today's attacks on March 22, 2016 in Brussels, Belgium. At least 31 people are thought to have been killed after Brussels airport and a Metro station were targeted by explosions. The attacks come just days after a key suspect in the Paris attacks, Salah Abdeslam, was captured in Brussels. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - MARCH 22: People hold up a banner as a mark of solidarity at the Place de la Bourse following today's attacks on March 22, 2016 in Brussels, Belgium. At least 31 people are thought to have been killed after Brussels airport and a Metro station were targeted by explosions. The attacks come just days after a key suspect in the Paris attacks, Salah Abdeslam, was captured in Brussels. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
By Cox Media Group National Content Desk
March 23, 2016

As people tried to come to terms with Tuesday's suicide bomb attacks in Belgium, a crowd that had gathered to grieve in central Brussels broke into an impromptu performance of John Lennon's "Imagine."

Gathered in a circle, with arms wrapped around one another, a small group started to sing Lennon's well-known peace anthem Tuesday night in the capital city's Place de la Bourse. Soon, more voices from the crowd joined in.

Earlier Tuesday, people used chalk to write messages of grief and hope in the streets, including the square.

"Pray for Belgium," one message said. "Islam -- it's not terrorism," another said.

Explosions at Brussels Airport and the Maelbeek Metro station claimed at least 31 lives, according to Belgian officials. About 270 people were injured.

Authorities identified Khalid El Bakraoui as the suicide bomber in the attack on Maelbeek Metro station while his brother, Ibrahim El Bakraoui, was the suicide bomber who struck the airport. At least one other person remained at large Wednesday.

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