PERSONAL: Survivor remembers Brussels attack horror a decade on

Record ID: 2366693

  • Title: PERSONAL: Survivor remembers Brussels attack horror a decade on
  • Date: 18th March 2026
  • Summary: ZAVENTEM, BELGIUM (MARCH 10, 2026) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF BRUSSELS AIRPORT BRUSSELS AIRPORT SIGN BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (MARCH 10, 2026) (REUTERS) BENJAMIN CARRYING PILE OF DOCUMENTS AND PUTTING THEM ON THE TABLE DOCUMENT READING (Dutch): "Copy of medical record" (SOUNDBITE) (French) BRUSSELS ATTACKS SURVIVOR, WALTER BENJAMIN, SAYING:     "This is the whole administrative proces
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: BRUSSELS ATTACKS WALTER BENJAMIN
  • Location: ZAVENTEM AND BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
  • City: ZAVENTEM AND BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
  • Country: Belgium
  • Topics: Bombing (non-military),Conflicts/War/Peace,Europe
  • Reuters ID: LVA005303011032026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Ten years after coordinated bombings killed dozens of people at Brussels Airport and Maalbeek metro station, Walter Benjamin is not only battling the physical and mental impact but is also still fighting for a final payout for his injuries. 
    The 57-year-old was in the departure hall when three Islamic State militants arrived at the airport with explosive‑filled suitcases on March 22, 2016. Two died when their bombs detonated while the third one abandoned his device and fled. 
    Just over an hour later, another militant blew himself up at the metro station. Thirty-two people were killed on the day and more than 300 injured, including Benjamin.  
    "My leg was torn off ... right in the middle of the knee," he said. He can no longer enter the airport without taking medication. He says the attackers destroyed his life.
    A decade on, he continues his recovery, training on a treadmill several times a week. As well as the physical rehabilitation, Benjamin is also still dealing with the long administrative battle for a full payout. He has a stack files accumulated over 10 years of dealing with insurers, medical assessments and official procedures. His war pension, given to survivors of the attacks by the Belgian government, has also been sharply reduced, a decision he is contesting with his lawyer.
    In October 2024, Belgium's top court awarded more than 18 million euros in civil damages to 980 survivors and relatives. 
    Belgium will mark the 10th anniversary of the attacks with a series of ceremonies organised by the airport, Brussels transport operator MIVB and the government, working with victims' associations, the prime minister's office said. Six men were convicted for the bombings in July 2023 and received sentences of 20 years to life.
    (Production: Christian Levaux, Bart Biesemans)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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