Victims of the terror attacks in Brussels that left 31 people dead are starting to be identified. The death of student Leopold Hecht in the bombing at Maalbeek metro station was confirmed with immense sadness” by the rector of Saint-Louis University in the Belgian capital.
B
randing Tuesday’s atrocities “barbaric acts”, Pierre Jadoul said: There is no word to describe our dismay in the face of this news. All our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones.
Olivier Delespesse also died at the station.
His death was confirmed by the French Community of Belgium, of which he was a member.
Earlier came confirmation that a Peruvian mother of three-year-old twins was one of those killed in the double suicide bomb attack at Brussels airport.
The girls are said to have gone off to play, with their father in pursuit, moments before the bomb went off.
Her brother, Fernando Tapia, said: “She had twins called Maureen and Alondra Delcambe Tapia.
“They were in the Brussels airport, too, they were connecting through to New York to meet my sister Milenka Tapia. In the end this attack stopped this destiny.”
According to Mr Tapia, his sister had lived in Belgium for nine years after marrying a local man.
“She had also planned to come back to Peru this year. Now she can’t come back.”
Belgium has held a minute’s silence in memory of the victims. Around 300 people were injured in the morning rush-hour attacks.
By Wednesday evening, at least 150 were still in hospital, including 61 in intensive care.
Downing Street confirmed four Britons were hurt, three of whom were in hospital, and it also said it was concerned about one missing British national.
Meanwhile, the family of David Dixon, who has been missing since the explosions, are said to be “desperately” searching for him.
The IT programmer, originally from Hartlepool but was living in Brussels, is thought to have been using the subway system when a blast ripped through a train.
:: In the UK, anyone affected or concerned about others caught up in the attacks can call +442070080000.
:: The Belgian Crisis Centre has also set up a helpline for people calling from outside Belgium: +3278151771. Those in Belgium are asked to call 1771.