The female Belgian victim of the van attack, on Tuesday in Manhattan, was from the Staden commune, near Roulers (West Flanders). This was confirmed by its Mayor, Francesco Vanderjeugd (of the Open VLD).
Aged 31, she was visiting New York accompanied by her mother and two sisters. The Mayor of the Belgian locality said, “We are in the process of assessing how to effect the repatriation of the women’s body and the safe return of her family. However, we await the green light from the American authorities.”
He added, “I have been kept updated as to the position from Tuesday evening onwards. It is difficult to describe what I felt upon hearing this announcement and how I still feel about it. It is truly terrible to say that someone who was enjoying her holiday could die following such a crime.”
The Brussels Times
