Victims testify at 2016 Brussels terror attacks trial

Victims of the Brussels Airport attack will testify on Tuesday at the trial of the Brussels terror attacks of 22 March 2016. One of the witnesses is Indian former flight attendant Nidhi Chaphekar. A picture of her in the immediate aftermath of the Brussels Airport explosions came to symbolise the horror of the attacks.

The trial entered a new phase focusing on the victims on Monday. The first victim spoke on Monday afternoon, following testimonies from medical experts on the medical and psychological issues that terror victims may face.

French-American athlete Béatrice de Lavalette (23) was the first to testify on Monday. The woman who lost her legs in the airport attack spoke about how her life as a 17-year-old was suddenly over and the long recovery that followed after the attack.

One of the witnesses scheduled to testify is Indian former flight attendant Nidhi Chaphekar. A picture of her in the immediate aftermath of the Brussels Airport explosions came to symbolise the horror of the attacks.

Twelve are scheduled to speak on Tuesday, but presiding judge Laurence Massart informed that eight of them will not come to court to testify. It is possible that the presiding judge will read from interrogations or statements by those witnesses. The testimonies of the victims and their relatives will last until the end of March.

^{Béatrice de Lavalette arrives at the Brussels-Capital Assizes Court on 6 March 2023 at the Justitia site in Haren, Brussels © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}