Terrİble

[ernalala]

I don't really know where to go with this... The news events have been closed.

I just heard that in Belgium, my home country, a daycare for 0-3y olds has been attacked by a man who painted his face black and white and attacked baby's, children and caretakers with a knife, there were at least 3 deaths and many wounded of which most in critical condition. The parents are/were first not allowed to visit children in hospital (due to investigation I believe, and it was not clear yet whose children were taken to which hospital).

I removed the original link to a first news report since it was not completely accurate.
The following is updated and more accurate.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/8316362

I just don't have any words for this, it is such a nightmare!!!!!!!!!!!

[Leisha]

Everyone over here is in shock...
So far i've heard of three deaths: two children - both less than 1 year old - and one woman, an employee of the daycare center.

Around 15 others were wounded, some very serious so there could very well be more fatalities... All the caregivers tried to stop the attacker and they were all wounded.

The children that were hurt got transported immediately to several different hospitals so in the chaos, it has been difficult for the parents to find out where their child was brought to and in what condition but the authorities are working to resolve that, obviously.

[2cutiekitties]

[~Boudicca~]

OMG. That is quite possibly the worst thing I have ever heard of.

Poor babies

[CariOfOz]

It's just tragic. I saw this earlier today and my guts have been tied in knots about it all day How someone could attack sleeping babies is beyond comprehension. My heart goes out to those families who lost their little ones, as well as the families of the adult victims... I hope their families find some small measure of comfort in knowing their family member saved other young lives.

[becoming]

How did he even get in the daycare?

Oh God. I am just SICK over this. Those poor babies.

[zonapellucida]

That is AWEFUL!!! and prayers for those families

[Aubergine68]

I think posting this story in Grief and Loss is very appropriate.

My dd (age 10) had a nightmare about this story and we were up in the night praying together for all those affected by this tragedy.

[Leisha]

This is just so heartbreaking.

The information that's been coming out in the press has been somewhat unreliable but I heard that when the attacker was arrested, he had another knife in his rucksack (two knives were found near the daycare) as well as an axe (that's been officially confirmed) and he was on his way to a second daycare center nearby (although that has not been confirmed nor denied by police).

It's a horrible, horrible tragedy. All the local politicians etc they were interviewing on the news, and also the newsreaders themselves, were visibly distraught, some were near to tears. I think anyone that was at the scene when it happened or soon thereafter will be needing psychological help for a long time. Also the kids that survived and saw everything

He came in through a side entrance that was not locked. (The security around many daycare centers is not very strict here, but I suspect that will change now)

It was a 20 year old that did this. He was not known to police, didn't have a criminal record. He has been interrogated for hours but hasn't cooperated at all, so nothing is known about why he did it. I've heard he was not under the influence of any drugs or alcohol (don't know if that has been officially confirmed). I think he must be completely deranged, psychotic maybe? I just can't wrap my head around this.


The victims that remain in hospital are stable and out of immediate danger so hopefully there will be no more fatalities.

[Murihiku]

Originally Posted by Aubergine68

My dd (age 10) had a nightmare about this story and we were up in the night praying together for all those affected by this tragedy.

I want to blame someone (because you know that always makes it easier) but the latest report I read said there was no known history of mental problems so I don't know who or what to blame. I can't really blame the man himself because all I can think is that he is completely insane.

So that leaves us in the universe of random death and evil and terror and madness.

[becoming]

I am still thinking about this constantly today. I cannot even imagine what would possess someone to want to kill sweet sleeping babies when they are at their most peaceful and vulnerable.

[eurobin]

I was horrified when I read that. I lived in Belgium for a while and wow, it hits close to home. I remember that people just seemed less... paranoid? there. Not that this sort of thing happens in the States very often either, but we certainly have more random violence in the US. I'm sick thinking of the absolute terror and senseless loss this caused but I'm also saddened to think that it might take away part of the sense of peace in that country as well.