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AT&T

Need to check in with someone in Belgium? Calling and texting is free on most carriers

By Julian Chokkattu Digital Trends
Published | Updated
BelgianFlag

A Belgian flag flies at half-mast following bomb attacks s in Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2016.(REUTERS/Charles Platiau)

Brussels has been struck. Explosions at the city's international airport and a subway station have claimed an estimated 32 lives, and has left more than 230 wounded.

The total number of victims has not yet been confirmed, according to the Belgian Crisis Center, and the Islamic State has taken responsibility for the attacks, according to Amaq Agency, a news blog with ties to IS.

Related: Encryption seems to have played little to no part in the Paris attacks

If you have relatives, family, or friends in Belgium, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile are just a few of the major carriers in the U.S. to allow free calls and texts to the terror-stricken country. These waivers all last for varying lengths of time, depending on the carrier.

AT&T's offer lasts until March 28, while Verizon is extending the waiver until March 23. T-Mobile's offer lasts until March 25, but Sprint's extends until March 31. Sprint's waiver also works with Virgin and Boost Mobile customers.

T-Mobile will also make any calls or texts made from March 19 to 22 to Turkey free, in light of the recent suicide bombing that killed four people in Istanbul's main shopping street. Verizon is doing the same from March 19 to 20.

You can call the Belgium Crisis Center's emergency number at +32 02 95 06 47 11, but only do so if it is an absolute necessity as the center is likely overloaded with calls.

Facebook has also activated its Safety Check feature, where people in the affected area can check in to let their family and friends know they are safe. On Twitter, people who can offer help are tweeting #openhouse #ikwilhelpen, which means "I want to help," and are offering rides and places to stay for anyone in the affected area.

If you're looking for a family member in Brussels, you can use this website set up by the Red Cross, but only use it if you need to as the server could get overloaded if too many people visit it.