Brussels Metro Station Debuts Remembrance Wall After Terrorist Attacks

The Maelbeek station reopened on Monday, just over a month after deadly terror attacks shocked the city.
Brussels' Maelbeek metro station reopened on Monday, a little more than a month after a deadly terrorist attack hit it.
Brussels' Maelbeek metro station reopened on Monday, a little more than a month after a deadly terrorist attack hit it.
JOHN THYS via Getty Images

Brussels' Maelbeek metro station reopened with a sign of hope on Monday, a little more than a month after terrorist attacks on the city killed 32 people and injured hundreds more.

The attacks, for which the self-described Islamic State took responsibility, destroyed one of eight tiled portraits on the station's walls. In its place, authorities erected a temporary remembrance wall where people could write messages commemorating the victims, France 24 reported.

Many people streamed into the station as armed military personnel and sniffer dogs patrolled train carriages and platforms -- a reminder of the high security alert under which the country continues to operate. Many also drew or wrote messages on the wall.

"It's rather difficult to come here again because we are still thinking about the people who died here," one commuter told CNN.

Soldiers and sniffer dogs patrolled the station's platforms and trains.
Soldiers and sniffer dogs patrolled the station's platforms and trains.
Geert Vanden Wijngaert/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photos taken in the late afternoon showed the wall filled with drawings of peace signs and messages in various languages.

Cartoons depicting various neighborhoods of the city were arranged in the shape of a heart, with the words "Tous Ensemble" -- "All Together" -- written above it.

"That morning in the metro, I lived and saw the horror, the unspeakable. Yet in this dramatic situation I experienced and saw solidarity in the eyes of the people that were most affected by it," one message read.

"Dear Mom, you will always be in our hearts," another said. "We love you, the children and all the family. We will never forget you."

"We will never surrender," another wrote, all in capitals.

The exterior of the station was also turned into a makeshift memorial as people placed dozens of bouquets outside the entrance.

The artist of the damaged portrait, Benoît van Innis, is working on another project to remember the attacks, according to Deutsche Welle. He is expected to complete the piece in June.

The city's airport also reopened partially on April 3 with a makeshift kiosk performing security and check-in operations. Airport staff embraced as the first plane took off.

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