The suicide attackers who struck Brussels airport on Tuesday, killing at least 14 people, had their bombs in their luggage, the local mayor told AFP.

"They came in a taxi with their suitcases, their bombs were in their bags," Zaventem mayor Francis Vermeiren said.

"They put their suitcases on trolleys, the first two bombs exploded. The third also put his on a trolley but he must have panicked, it didn't explode."