In an immediate response to yet another bomb attack - this time in Brussels, Belgium -   the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB)  expressed its horror at the incident, condolences  to the families of the people killed in the bombings and wished those injured a  speedy recovery.

"It was with enormous shock that I heard about the bombings in Brussels," said WFDB President Ernie Blom. "Along, I am sure, with many thousands of members of the diamond industry around the world, I have passed through the departure halls of Brussels’ Zaventem airport scores of times as I left Belgium after meetings or business in Antwerp.

"Seeing the images on television and the Internet of the wrecked check-in counters therefore brings home to all of us even more strongly the shocking nature of this cowardly attack on innocent people. We send our sincere best wishes to the citizens of Belgium and stand in solidarity with them at this terribly difficult time.

The world diamond industry had reason to be particularly concerned, as Brussels is  the gateway to Antwerp, the foremost diamond trading centre in the world today.

Blom added: "I have not heard of any members of the Belgian diamond industry being victims of these attacks and I hope that continues to be the case. As with many other diamantaires, I have very many friends in Belgium. Indeed the WFDB's offices are based in Antwerp. On behalf of the WFDB and its members across the world, I send our sincere best wishes to the Belgian public.”