Belgium honors and commemorates victims on 22 March on Schumanplein (Brussels)
© Belga
On Saturday morning around 10.15 am, Belgium honored the victims and relatives of the terrorist attacks at home and abroad for the victims of 22 March 2016 near Schumanplein. Among other things, Minister of Security and the Interior Bernard Quintin (MR), Minister of Defense Theo Francken (N-VA) and Minister of Justice Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) presented present at the Commemoration Square. Prime Minister De Wever was not present.
Source: Belga
The ceremony was used under the supervision of the orchestra of the Belgian Navy. Subsequently, the names of the victims were called and the representatives of the Belgian federal government, the Brussels -Capital Region and the city of Brussels placed a flower wreath on the monument. Brussels Airport and STIB-Stib have also put down a flower wreath to commemorate the victims of the attacks on March 22. At the end, the other people present placed white and pink roses on the monument.
« March 22 will remain a scar for Brussels forever. But we have shown that we can pick up and stay strong together, » said Mayor of the City of Brussels Philippe Close (PS).
Among those present not only politicians and representatives of services and companies involved. Victims, relatives and emergency services also signed. According to firefighter David Vanfraechem, who was in the middle of the chaos at the attack in the departure hall in Zaventem on March 22, the attack changed his life thoroughly. « I carry this with me, » said the fireman. « The emotions will stay. They have come there the day after the attack and there are still nine years later. »
Colleague firefighter Jurgen Deconynck also wanted to honor the victims. Deconynck was called in on March 22 to get the fatalities from the departure hall of Brussels Airport in Bergen. « I have not seen the chaos itself, but it still feels like an attack on our home today. »
© Belga
© Belga
