A CARDIGAN mum who normally travels through the Belgian metro station targeted by terrorists in Brussels on Tuesday morning, missed the attack by minutes, because she had biked into work, the Cambrian News can reveal.

Nia Lewis, 42, who usually goes through the Maelbeek metro station on the way to her office, decided to cycle in instead.

She had only just arrived at the Welsh Assembly office where she works as head of economic development, when several explosions struck Brussels airport as well as the metro system, causing at least 28 deaths.

Two blasts tore through the departures area of Zaventem airport before an explosion hit the metro station, forcing the airport and entire transport system to be closed.

But Nia, who has a five-year-old son, Ioan, managed to ring her parents, Ceredigion county councillor Haydn Lewis and his wife Lowri, at their Ferwig home to tell them she was safe.

“Nia was fine when we spoke although she said her office had gone into lockdown,” said Cllr Lewis. “It’s obviously very worrying for me and her mother.

“I don’t think she could believe her luck. Normally she goes through that station, but this morning she decided to cycle the two-and-a-half miles in because it was such a lovely day.

“Considering what’s happened, taking her bike was undoubtedly the best thing Nia could have done.”

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