Antwerp (Brussels Morning) – There were two deadly explosions in Antwerp, Belgium one in 2018 that killed 2 and injured 14 and another in 2019 that traumatized the local community. The residents still recall the incidents and are deeply affected by the lasting impact.
Vincent Ferreira shared about a big boom in Hoboken not being the first in Antwerp. Back in January 2018 a house went kaboom on Paardenmarkt, causing 2 people to pass away and 14 to get injured. Vincent who was hanging out in a café across the street when it happened still feels weird passing by there. Over 6 years later he’s back at that café saying it’s still a mess.
What Are the Lasting Effects of Recent Explosions on Local Communities?
Raul who lives and works close by always remembers the blast when he walks past. “I heard the boom and it was really awful.” Other folks passing by also hear the same noise. Students mention that It makes me feel uneasy because I live in same room. The passersby still recall the explosion. They said “It was truly awful back then and even now things always bring back those memories.
Chloe was there when a big boom happened in Wilrijk on September 3, 2019. She said It’s something I’ll never forget. Looking at the pictures of the explosion in Hoboken brought back all the memories from 5 years ago for her. Chloe still feels scared even years later from what happened on that 3rd September. She mentioned thst Every little noise made me freeze. I got really scared when I heard a fighter jet passing by Whenever I open my curtains I remember what happened. It’s sad to see a similar incident occur nearby now. The pictures after the explosion in Hoboken really make me sad.
Something really big happened in Pascale Bals Daeleman’s area five years ago that still affects everyone there today. It was so important and emotional that it’s always on people’s minds and part of their daily conversations. Residents like Pascale Bals Daeleman are still dealing with the impact or memories.
She mentioned that it feels like reliving the events from five years ago bringing back the nightmare. Pascale and her husband still live in the same area near the houses that exploded. She said they face reminders of it every day. There’s now a memorial stone for the woman who died in the explosion. They were close to her and her husband who had passed away a month before the incident.
