Belgium's ambassador to Australia has spoken of the "shock and consternation" felt in the Canberra community in the wake of the deadly Brussels terrorist attacks.
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Belgians who live in the capital, members of the diplomatic corps and politicians were among dozens who visited the country's embassy in Yarralumla to place flowers and sign a condolence book on Wednesday.
Ambassador Jean-Luc Bodson said a candlelight vigil to honour those who lost their lives may take place at the embassy next week to remember victims who died when two bomb blasts rocked the capital.
"The feeling [among embassy staff] was of shock and consternation when we heard the news," he said.
"We had a lot of messages of solidarity and condolence from within the Belgian community and the Australian people, which has been very comforting."
The condolence book will remain at the embassy, where it is flanked by candles, for people to sign on Thursday.
Kings Avenue bridge and the National Carillion would be lit up in Belgium's national colours of red, black and yellow at night until next week, the National Capital Authority announced on Wednesday.
"As our prime minister said yesterday, what we feared has happened and there was an indication that terrorists were planning some action," Mr Bodson said.
"We were not able to prevent the attack yesterday. Now the first priority is to care for those injured and the families of the deceased."
Authorities had turned their attention to ensuring the city's safety in coming days, and Mr Bodson said security and anti-terrorism measures had already been significantly ramped up since the fatal attack on the Charlie Hebdo office in Paris last year.
He hit back at arguments Belgian authorities should have done more to prevent the attacks, saying it was easy to criticise in hindsight.
"Of course we have to do more, of course we have to do better, like everyone does.
"If someone has the perfect formula to prevent terrorist attacks, I'm listening."
Belgian Canberra Club president Patrick De Deckker said members of the ACT's large Belgian community were distraught and upset by the attacks and there was "a sense of disbelief".
But Mr De Deckker said the country seemed to have united in the wake of the attacks, with one friend in Brussels telling him the Belgian spirit would prevail.
"It's really, really sad because it's taking innocents and people who have nothing to do with that cause.
"There's a lot of sympathy from Australians who know Belgians to say they are appalled as well."
