ONLY ON 3: UNCW tennis player from Belgium reacts to attacks

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAy) — Deadly terror attacks in Brussels are affecting people around the world.

There were three explosions at the Brussels airport and a metro station all during the Tuesday morning rush hour.

“I know my dad takes the metro,” UNCW tennis player Xander Veys said.

Veys said he found out about the attacks near his hometown in Belgium during a busy day of school and practice in the port city.

“I knew it could have been one of my parents, so I didn’t know,” Veys said.

Veys has been in the United States for almost two years, but he said he grew up in a town about 30 minutes away from Brussels. He said his family and friends still call Belgium home.

“I just texted really quickly and asked if everything was alright,” Veys said.

Veys said his family is safe, but hundreds of other families are grieving after the deadly explosions took dozens of lives and injured hundreds of others.

As investigators continue looking for the suspects responsible, President Barack Obama is standing behind Belgium with support.

“We will do whatever is necessary to support our friend and ally Belgium in bringing to justice those who are responsible,” Veys said.

Justice for the victims, families, and friends.. across the world that have been impacted.

“Sometimes you just hear on the news something happen far away or whatever, but you kind of don’t think about it too much and try to kind of put it away but if it happens like really close to you I think it definitely has an impact on you,” Veys said.

President Obama has ordered that all american flags in the u.s. be flown at half-staff through saturday out of respect for victims of the Brussels attack.