A Rwandan student was among dozens injured during terror attacks in Brussels, Belgium, yesterday, which left at least 30 people dead. The two attacks that took place within a span of an hour occurred at Zaventem Airport – which was hit by two blasts – and a metro station. Speaking to The New Times from Brussels, Rwandan Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, Olivier Nduhungirehe confirmed that a Rwandan was among those wounded but noted that she was out of danger. “A Rwandan student was injured this morning in the airport attack. I have since spoken to her and she is out of danger. She had a fragment on her foot and is recovering,” Nduhungirehe said. The student was identified as Chantal Itanguha. The early morning attacks come barely a week after the arrest of last year’s Paris attacks mastermind, Salah Abdeslam, in the Belgian capital. The jihadist Group Islamic State, a terror group whose roots can be traced to Syria and Iraq, has since claimed responsibility for yesterday’s attacks. Itanguha’s sister, who only identified herself as Joselyn, said she had since left the hospital and was recuperating at home. She described her injuries as not ‘very bad compared to others injured.’ Nduhungirehe said, so far, no other cases of Rwandan victims had been reported but they were making follow-ups with the various associations of Rwandans living abroad to establish the safety of fellow nationals. He also confirmed that all embassy officials and their families were safe. “We are monitoring and making follow-ups to establish the safety of Rwandans in Belgium,” he said. Leaders united in condemnation Describing the mood in the Belgian capital as of yesterday evening, Nduhungirehe said activities in some parts of the city were slowly resuming after a temporary disruption following the two incidents. “One of the objectives of terrorists to cause fear. By resuming normal activity, it is a sign of resilience,” he said. The envoy sent a message of solidarity to Belgians and all those affected by the attacks, noting that such tragedies call for the world to continue to support efforts against terror. In a Tweet, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Louise Mushikiwabo, also commiserated with the Belgian people. World leaders have come out to condemn the attacks and reaffirm their commitment to combat terror activities across the world. Among those who sent messages of condolence and well wishes was Pope Francis, who termed the attack as “blind violence which causes so much suffering.” US President Obama, speaking from Havana, Cuba, expressed solidarity with Brussels, saying the attacks were yet another reminder that the world must unite. “We must be together, regardless of nationality or race or faith, in fighting against the scourge of terrorism,” he said. “We can and we will defeat those who threaten the safety and security of people around the world.” The attacks left 34 people killed — 14 at the airport and 20 at the subway station. Many more were wounded, including 92 at the airport and 106 at the subway station. Meanwhile, the airport operations were halted as police searched for the perpetrators. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
