If you haven’t been following the latest news and updates about the recent attack on the Brussels Airport, it recently reopened and is back to partial functionality. According to USA Today, “Brussels Airport partially reopened Sunday for the first time since the March 22 suicide bombings that killed 16 at the check-in area and 16 others at a city metro station.” The tragedy that occurred at the airport has had a ripple effect around the world, leaving many of us both saddened and confused by the state of the world. And although, “The city remains on edge after the deadly terror attacks that injured hundreds 12 days ago, but Brussels Airport CEO Arnaud Feist said the airport’s relaunch Sunday offers a sign of hope.”
For anyone who hasn’t gotten the full story, here’s a quick recap on the details of the attack (via NBC News):
First thing in the morning, around 8:00 am “Gunfire reportedly heard in the departures terminal followed by an explosion. As passengers started running, a second blast erupted just 10 seconds later.”
As the day continued and rescue missions were underway, “Belgian authorities stopped rail transport to the airport and closed roads.”
About a half an hour later, around 9:10 am, “A blast was reported on a train at the Maalbeek metro subway station, near the headquarters of the European Commission. The train was leaving the station, heading towards Arts-Loi, when the explosion occurred in the second train car, which was still in the Maalbeek station.”
At 10 am, “Brussels’ entire public transport system — including streetcars, buses and trains — was shut down. The Belgian Crisis Centre tweeted: “Stay where you are.””
With rescue operations in place and the Belgian government putting emergency systems into action, the rest of the world stood by waiting for news and praying for the people and families affected by these brutal attacks.
And by “3:20 p.m. (10:20 a.m. ET): ISIS claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying their members detonated suicide belts.”
The news of this horrible attack really shook the whole world and it’s tough to see things like this plaguing society, but this week’s news that the Brussels airport is back on the road to full operation is truly a sign of hope. Our hearts go out to anyone who was affected by this horrible crime and look forward to a day when violence is not part of our global news.
