Brussels marks anniversary of terror attacks
March 22, 2017
Belgian leaders gathered on Wednesday with survivors and the families of those who died one year ago in the March 22 suicide bomb attacks in Brussels.
King Philippe, Queen Mathilde and Prime Minister Charles Michel gathered at Brussels' Zaventem airport, where two suicide bombers detonated their bombs in the departure hall during morning rush hour.
King Philippe laid a wreath in honor of the 16 people who lost their lives during the twin blasts. The names of the dead were read out, accompanied by a cello.
Besides the King, DW's Teri Schultz witnessed a Red Cross worker laying flowers at a memorial.
Airport employees and survivors of the attack also gathered to witness the unveiling of a memorial in honor of the victims.
Moment of silence and 'noise'
The royals led a second moment of silence at 9:11 a.m. local time at Maalbeek subway station where a third bomb exploded, killing another 16 people.
The moment of silence was followed by a "minute of noise" as people applauded and cars honked their horns in an act of defiance and solidarity. DW correspondent Georg Matthes filmed this commemoration in a Brussels subway.
More than 320 people were wounded in both attacks, but around 900 people now say they suffered physical or mental trauma due to the attacks.
Later on Wednesday, the King and Queen will inaugurate a new steel memorial where the European Union institutions are based in Brussels - located close to Maalbeek metro station.
The bombings were carried out by Belgian nationals, who detonated explosives they had been carrying in large suitcases.
Three attackers died in the bombings. Another man - now in custody - has confessed to being involved.
The so-called "Islamic State" extremist group claimed responsibility for the bombings.
Children from schools in Molenbeek, the largely Muslim neighborhood in Brussels where many of the attackers came from, will meet with victims of the attacks in a show of solidarity.
rs/se (AP, AFP, dpa)