Tuesday's attacks in Brussels that killed at least 26 people struck at "the whole of Europe", French President Francois Hollande said, according to AFP.

"Through the attacks in Brussels, the whole of Europe has been hit," Hollande said in a statement, urging the continent to take "vital steps in the face of the seriousness of the threat.

"France which was itself attacked in January and November last year is fully engaged in that. France will implacably continue the fight against terrorism both on the international level and at home."