See more on the Brussels attack at www.dailymail.co.uk/BrusselsAttacks

At least nine Americans, including three Mormon missionaries, a US Air Force lieutenant colonel and five members of his family, have been injured in the Brussels terrorist attacks.

They were among the near 200 people hurt in the suicide bomb blasts in Belgium's capital that have left at least 34 dead.

The State Department is still trying to confirm whether any other citizens were caught up in the blasts, and expect the number of American casualties to increase.

A Peruvian woman travelling to New York is among those dead, it has been confirmed.

Adelma Tapia Ruiz, 37, was at the airport with her Belgian husband Christophe Delcambe, and their twin 4-year-old daughters Maureen and Alondra, who all survived.

But those who managed to escape the blasts unscathed have spoken out of the chaos that enfolded moments after the attacks.

They have advised any U.S. citizens in Belgium to 'shelter in place' and avoid any public transport.

During a press briefing on Tuesday, they said they were not aware of any American deaths in Belgium and were not able to provide accurate figures of those injured on the ground.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said Richard Norby, 66, Joseph Empey, 20, of and Mason Wells, 19, all from Utah, were seriously injured in the explosion at Brussels Airport, where 14 were killed.

The US military later confirmed a member of the armed forces, who's assigned with NATO, and his family - four children and another parent - were injured in the jihadi-backed attacks.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said Richard Norby, 66, (pictured with his wife Pamela) was one of the American Mormon missionaries caught up in the deadly Brussels blasts, it has been revealed. The attacks across the Belgian city have left at least 34 people dead

Mormon missionaries Joseph Empey, 20, of and Mason Wells, 19, were also seriously injured in the blast at the Brussels airport

The devastated inside of the terminal building (pictured) at Brussels Airport where 14 people were killed by suicide bombers

Emergency services treat the injured in Maelbeek, the site of the second explosion, in the chaotic aftermath of the terrorists attacks

Military officials would not reveal where he was at the time because of privacy concerns.

According to the Military Times, defense officials are trying to restrict the more than 60,000 armed forces personnel stationed in Europe from travelling.

A spokesman from the US Air Force told Daily Mail Online: 'The United States Air Force can confirm that one U.S. Air Force service member from Joint Force Command Brunssum, the Netherlands, was injured in today's horrific attack at the airport in Brussels. The Airman's family was also present and has sustained various injuries. Due to privacy concerns, we are not releasing the status of their injuries.

'We are saddened by today's attacks and extend our sincere condolences to the victims and families of those impacted,' said Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James. 'Our priority at this time is the safety and well-being of our Airmen and their families.'

Elder Norby (left) is seriously injured and being treated in hospital. He is a veteran of the church, having served in the Ivory Coast and in senior positions in Utah

'Our thoughts and prayers are with our Air Force family, and with the hundreds of others affected by these tragic events,' said Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, Air Force Chief of Staff.

European Command officials would not release details of the injuries to the Air Force officer or his family, due to privacy concerns.

But U.S. officials confirmed the officer was a lieutenant colonel, and that he and his family were injured at the attacks in the airport.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the details publicly.

Gen. Philip Breedlove, commander U.S. European Command, said the U.S. will assist authorities in Belgium in any way they can, adding that we 'will continue to stand by our NATO allies and partners to defeat these terrorists who threaten our freedoms and our way of life.'

Sister Fanny Rachel Clain, 20, who was travelling with the three hurt missionaries, had already passed through airport security when the explosions hit, the church said in a statement.

The church said she didn't make her flight out and was hospitalized. It instructed others in the France Paris Mission to stay in their homes.

'This has been a difficult day for our family, and our hearts are broken for those injured or killed by the attacks in Belgium,' the Empey family statement said.

The governor of Utah offered support to the local families. Gov. Gary Herbert praised the Utah natives as 'people of faith who have forsaken everything - family, friends, school and careers - in order to share a message of hope and love with the world.'

Thousands of Utah Mormons have served proselytizing missions around the world. Church members account for as many as two-thirds of the state's population.

Fifty students from the University of Illinois were in the capital at the time of the attacks, but officials confirmed they were safe.

Four students from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut were also in Brussels at the time of the attacks.

According to the university three were at the airport, but they are all believed to be safe and accounted for.

While, Sebastien Bellin, a Brazilian-born basketball player who used to play for Oakland University, was in the airport when one of the bombs went off.

During an interview on Fox News, Ted Cruz said his prayers were with everyone involved in the bombings, but mentioned the missionaries as voters in Utah prepared to vote in their primaries.

The governor of Utah, Gary Herbert praised the three Mormons.

Herbert praised the Utah natives as 'people of faith who have forsaken everything — family, friends, school and careers — in order to share a message of hope and love with the world.'

Thousands of Utah Mormons have served proselytizing missions around the world. Mormons account for as many as two-thirds of the state's population.

Belgium Mission President Frederic J. Babin confirmed the three of the missionaries were in the proximity of the explosion when it occurred and have been hospitalized.

The First Presidency of the Church promptly issued a statement this morning in response to the bombings: 'With much of the world, we awoke this morning to the heartbreaking news of the bombings in Belgium.

'Our prayers are with the families of the deceased and injured, including three of our missionaries who were injured and hospitalized.

Sister Fanny Rachel Clain, 20, who was travelling with the three hurt missionaries, had already passed through airport security when the explosions hit, the church said in a statement. She was also injured

'We also pray for the people of Belgium and France as they continue to deal with the uncertainty and devastation caused by the recent terrorist attacks.'

Elder Norby is a veteran of the church, having served in the Ivory Coast and as the head of the Orem Utah College 1st Stake.

Empey was said to be doing well after being treated for second-degree burns to his hands, face and head, his parents, Court and Amber Empey said in a statement.

He also had surgery for shrapnel injuries to his legs. 'We have been in touch with him and he is grateful and in good spirits,' the statement said.

The trio had been accompanying a fourth missionary to the terminal building as she prepared to fly back to the United States for an assignment in Ohio.

Chris Lambson, a family friend of Mason Wells', said the trio was very close to the blast, which tore Wells' Achilles tendon.

He had surgery and was being treated for a gash on his head and second- and third-degree burns to the right side of his body and face.

'He should make a 100 percent recovery,' Lambson said.

Lambson also said Wells has been close to two other major attacks.

He went to the Boston Marathon in 2013 to watch his mother compete and was a block away when bombs exploded near the finish line.

Wells, who has been on his mission in Paris for 20 months, also was serving in France when a series of coordinated attacks hit the city last November.

He was set to return from the mission in time to start college at the University of Utah next fall, where he plans to major in engineering.

'He's doing extremely well,' Lambson said. 'His biggest concern right now is about housing at U of U.'

Elder Wells, a talented high school athlete, moved to Brussels on February 17 when he became companions with Elder Empey.

'He's a good hard worker so I'm excited for that, it'll be good,' Wells wrote when he learned he was going to be working with Empey.

Wells has been keeping a blog with updates of his activities with the church.

He posted an entry on Monday with his report on what he had been doing in the past week. They had both been working on a mission project with other youngsters in Paris.

Elder Empey's mother updated friends and supporters on Facebook to assure them that their son has been in contact with them. They revealed he has shrapnel in his ankle and suffered burns.

She wrote on Facebook: 'Our hearts are broken for all those that lost their lives in the terror attack in Brussels today.

'We are grateful that Elder Empey and his companion Elder Wells are okay. A Senior missionary and sister missionary were also with them.

'They were all injured but getting treatment and doing well. Dres will need surgery on a leg wound and does have some shrapnel in his ankles and knee.

'He has some 2nd degree burns to his hands and head. He has been in contact with us. We would all like to thank you for your love and prayers. Love the Empey Family.'

Chad Wells, right, father of bombing victim Mason Wells, speaks about his son from his home in Utah. Mason Wells, 19, of Sandy, Utah, (left) was injured in Tuesday's explosion at the Brussels airport

Elder Empey's mother updated friends and supporters on Facebook to assure them that their son has been in contact with them. They revealed he has shrapnel in his ankle and suffered burns

The pair (pictured on a boat in Paris just days before the attack) were on assignment in Paris and had was taking a fellow missionary to the airport at the time

President Obama spent under a minute in today's speech in Cuba addressing the terrorist attacks that happened this morning in Brussels.

Obama said the 'thoughts and the prayers of the American people' are with the people of Belgium' today following the Brussels terrorist attacks that killed at least two dozen people today from Havana.

'We stand in solidarity with them in condemning these outrageous attacks against innocent people,' Obama said. 'We will do whatever is necessary to support our friend and ally Belgium in bringing to justice whoever is responsible and this is yet another reminder that the world must unite.'

'We must be together - regardless of nationality, or race, or faith - in fighting against the scourge of terrorism,' the president added. 'We can and we will defeat those who threaten the safety and security of people all around the world.

Donald Trump also commented on the suicide bombings.

'Do you all remember how beautiful and safe a place Brussels was. Not anymore, it is from a different world! U.S. must be vigilant and smart!' wrote the Republican front-runner on Twitter.

Trump then said in an interview on Fox News the US needs to 'shut the borders,' a statement he repeated later in the morning while appearing on Today.

In that appearance he also told Matt Lauer he is a firm believer in using torture to get information from people behind attacks like the one in Brussels, stating; 'Waterboarding is fine.'

Police across America have ramped up security at airports, tourist landmarks and mass transit points in the wake of the attacks.

Amid fears the bombings are the actions of coordinated jihadis, Homeland Security have said they are closely monitoring events as police departments and transit authorities step up their anti-terror patrols.

Forces including the NYPD, DC police and Chicago PD have moved to increase their presence at key locations while others have urged residents to be more vigilant and report anything suspicious.

Amtrak also confirmed more officers would be visible at their train stations around the nation.

The Port Authority announced early on Tuesday morning they would be stepping up precautions at New York and New Jersey's three major airports - La Guardia, JFK and Newark - and will deploy heavy-weapon officers throughout terminal buildings.

Belgium Mission President Frederic J. Babin confirmed the three of the missionaries, including Elder Wells (left) and Elder Emery (right) were in the proximity of the explosion when it occurred. They are both pictured during their trip to France

Anti-terrorist units will also be stationed at the World Trade Center and Grand Central Terminal - America's busiest train station.

Witnesses in Belgium described seeing 'dismembered bodies everywhere' after the blasts hit the American Airlines check-in desk at around 8am (7am GMT).

There were reports that shouts in Arabic were heard before the explosions and shots fired in the aftermath.

Around 90 minutes later, 10 people were killed when an explosion hit a Metro station near the EU headquarters in the city center in another suspected terror attack.

American Airlines confirmed that its planned flight from Brussels to Philadelphia in the US, which had been scheduled to depart at 9.40am had been cancelled in the wake of the blasts.

A spokesman said: 'We are aware of an incident at the Brussels airport departure hall and are taking care of our customers, employees and contractors. At this time, all of our employees and contractors are accounted for with no reported injuries.

'American Airlines flight 751 has been cancelled for today. When operations at the airport resume, we will re-accommodate our customers.'

Fifty students from the University of Illinois were in the capital at the time of the attacks, but officials confirmed they were safe

Debris lies scattered on the floor following the blasts at Brussels Airport. Screams could be heard on surveillance video that was released after the explosion

People inside the airport are seen carrying the injured alongside a heavily armed guard