Brussels attacks – To date, 778 persons declared themselves victims

As of today, 778 people declared before the justice system to be victims of the attacks of March 22nd, either through declarations of having been injured or through civil law. The statement was made Monday by Federal Prosecutor Frédéric Van Leeuw to the parliamentary investigation commission.

The Prosecutor’s Office has identified 537 persons declaring themselves victims of the attack on the National Airport and 241 of the attack at the Maelbeek Station. To date, these people have not been heard much. Mr. Van Leeuw emphasized that everyone has his or her own way of reacting: some prefer to be discrete, while others wish to be heard, orally or in writing.

At least one false declaration was revealed. It is however difficult to determine precisely who the victims are. In Nice, following the attack on Promenade des Anglais, some people pronounced themselves although they were not even present on the route of the truck used in the attack.  

Recently, the V-Europe association was established following the initiative of relatives of an airport employee who died following the attack. The organization complains of unending administrative procedures and lack of coordination between the different levels of power. Unlike in France, Belgium does not have a national centre for victim aid.

In January, when the investigation commission is to evaluate the application of provisional recommendations regarding the actions of rescue services, the victims will be heard, stated President of the commission Patrick Dewael (Open Vld).

(Source: Belga)


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