In Brussels' Place de la Bourse square, Belgians gathered to pay tribute to the victims of the early morning attacks on the city.

A handmade sign proclaimed in French and Dutch: "I am Brussels." 

"It honestly really hasn't sank in yet for me personally because I never really believed that something could happen here in Brussels but yeah, it's clearly here," a man said. 

"It's a sad day for us. Brussels is a fantastic place and I don't want anyone to destroy this beauty that we live with here."

In Paris, city hall was decked with Belgian flags, and a moment of silence was held for the victims.

The Eiffel Tower was lit in the colors of Belgium's flag -- black, yellow and red.

In Germany, the famous Brandenburg Gate, long a symbol of European peace and unity, was also bathed in Belgium's colors.

And where people gathered, security was heightened.

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attacks which killed at least 30 people.

But in Brussels, some are not concentrating on hate, but on love.