World unites as Brussels bleeds
After Paris, it was the turn of Brussels. Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists attacked Belgium's capital - the nerve centre of the European Union (EU) - on March 22, killing at least 31 people and injuring at least 80.
Twin blasts ripped through the Zaventem airport, early in the morning, killing 11, said the country's health minister. The Maelbeek metro station was attacked an hour later, leading to the death of at least 20 people, according to official sources. The injured included two employees of the privately-owned Indian airline Jet Airways. One was an Indian.
"Jet Airways guests and staff on the landside at Brussels airport have been moved away far off from the terminal. Transit guests who were in the terminal building have been shifted to hangers in coaches," the airline said in a statement.
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| Broken windows seen at the scene of explosions at Zaventem airport near Brussels. [Reuters] |
Readers would recall that the ISIS had launched a similar attack on another major European city, Paris in late 2015, killing over 120 people. Paris, in fact, bore the brunt of a string of terrorist attacks last year, which also included a strike on the office of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, in which two gunmen linked to the Al Qaeda opened indiscriminate fire, killing 12 people, including the editor of the controversial magazine.
The impunity with which the ISIS, which has emerged as the biggest threat to world peace in the last one year or so, has been attacking major European cities in recent times, shows that its terror is no longer limited to the wilderness of Syria and Iraq.
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| Injured people are seen at the scene of explosions at Zaventem adirport near Brussels. [Reuters] |
Instead of recruiting people to come all the way to Syria and Iraq to fight for the ISIS, the terrorist group's new strategy may be to get into the territory of the major powers of the world, and bring them to their knees with strategic strikes like the ones in Paris, or now, Brussels.
Bollywood singer Abhijeet’s wife and son were in Brussels at the time of the suicide attack. They were eveacuated to a safe zone.
Abhijeet tweeted:
#Brussels jst spoke to my wife n son at #BrusselsAirport..They r bn evacuated to a safe zone God is great.. Thx @jetairways
— abhijeet (@abhijeetsinger) March 22, 2016
Yes I m constantly in touch.. Thanks for all your great efforts https://t.co/kaICYWIxYp
— abhijeet (@abhijeetsinger) March 22, 2016
A major nuclear plant in the city was also evacuated following the terror strike.
The attacks came four days after Salah Abdeslam, the main fugitive in the Paris attacks, was captured in Brussels.
Belgian prime minister Charles Michel called Tuesday's attacks "blind, violent and cowardly", adding, "This is a day of tragedy, a black day... I would like to call on everyone to show calmness and solidarity".
Belgium was "determined to deal with the situation", Michel assured.
Solidarity and sympathy for the families of the victims started pouring in on social media, as the news of the attacks started to trickle in, perhaps the most poignant being those showing a sobbing Tintin. Readers would recall that the legendary cartoon character was created by Belgian cartoonist Georges Remi.
#Bruxelles(dessin de Mitch) pic.twitter.com/sv3LvKM0k2
— Bernard Mnich (@BernardMnich) March 22, 2016
Spray for #Bruxelles pic.twitter.com/xzHNBBzZ0T
— ¡ZAPATA! (@zapata_painter) March 22, 2016
#JeSuisBelge pic.twitter.com/beq1XxNZkQ
— Mac (@klairemac94) March 22, 2016
A cartoon by French artist Plantu, published in the French new site Le Monde depicted France grieving for a hurt Belgium. It couldn't have been more touching, and is being shared widely.
#Bruxelles L'hommage de Plantu https://t.co/sBBY9mGViE pic.twitter.com/WNoXNAwCUT
— Le Monde (@lemondefr) March 22, 2016
Top world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and US presidential candidate Donald Trump expressed their solidarity with the Belgian people. Modi is scheduled to visit Brussels on March 30 for the European Union summit.
News from Brussels is disturbing. The attacks are condemnable. Condolences to families of the deceased. May those injured recover quickly.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 22, 2016
Do you all remember how beautiful and safe a place Brussels was. Not anymore, it is from a different world! U.S. must be vigilant and smart!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 22, 2016
US president Barack Obama condemned the Brussels attacks. "The thoughts and prayers of the American people are with the people of Belgium. We stand in solidarity with them in condemning these outrageous attacks against innocent people. We will do whatever is necessary to support our friend and ally Belgium, in bringing to justice those who are responsible. This is yet another reminder that the world must unite..." said the US president.
Here is a collection of tweets which offer solidarity and support for the victims of Tuesday's attacks:
My heart breaks for the city of Brussels today.
— Linden Ashby (@lindenashby) March 22, 2016
Sending my love to Brussels
— Nyle DiMarco (@NyleDiMarco) March 22, 2016
Here's an idea! Stop killing people. Possibly, just possibly, people might then believe that your religion is one of peace. #Brussels
— Michael A. Sherlock (@sherlockmichael) March 22, 2016
Over 30 dead in #Brussels,tomorrow xxx .Have nothing new or profound to say.Just deep,deep sadness at the world my kids are growing up in
— sonia singh (@soniandtv) March 22, 2016
Brussels is not only the capital of Belgium, but also the de facto capital of the EU. The attacks on such a high-profile city shows that urban terrorism is as real now as it probably has ever been. It is a wake-up call for world leaders, and a reminder of the threat that ISIS poses. It's is time we act to curb the menace.
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| Emergency personnel are seen at the scene of a blast outside a metro station in Brussels. [Reuters] |