Tongans in Brussels thankful to be okay [1]
Friday, March 25, 2016 - 15:55. Updated on Friday, March 25, 2016 - 16:00.
Shaken by the proximity of Tuesday’s terror attacks in Brussels, a Tongan family who live in the city say they are trying to go on with their normal activities and are thankful to be all okay.
Haati and Josephine-Latu Sanft have lived in Brussels for several years, where Josie works at the press office of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States in the central city.
“We use the Maelbeek metro station (where the explosions happened 30 minutes or so after the ones at the airport) all the time and it's quite close to our son's kindergarten and also Josie’s workplace. It's the metro line used to get to the European institutions - European Parliament, Council, Commission etc.,” they said today.
“The attackers struck right in the heart of Brussels. The day after the attacks, the schools in the area were closed and many organisations asked the staff to work from home. We are a bit shaken but have tried to go on our normal activities – and try to remember that one is more likely to be killed in a car accident or a heart attack, than a terrorist attack.”
The couple reported that the Pacific diplomatic community in Brussels were, fortunately, not affected and all are grateful.
“Maelbeek was so close to home especially for the diplomatic community (most of the islanders here are diplomats) because they all use this metro line a lot to get to the European institutions.”
“We thank everyone who have sent us messages of support and love and kept us in their prayers,” said Haati.
At least 31 people were killed and 300 injured in explosions at Brussels airport and the Maelbeek metro station in the city centre on Tuesday. The suicide bombings were attributed to political violence by the so-called Islamic State group.