Catherine Stihler: How could someone kill innocent people?

Yesterday started like any other working day, with a breakfast debate hosted by the Dutch Embassy.
Passengers are evacuated from Zaventem Bruxelles International Airport after the terrorist attack. Picture: GettyPassengers are evacuated from Zaventem Bruxelles International Airport after the terrorist attack. Picture: Getty
Passengers are evacuated from Zaventem Bruxelles International Airport after the terrorist attack. Picture: Getty

As we debated the future of digital policy, news started to come through that something had happened at Brussels airport.

Before the meeting had finished, the tragedy at Maalbeek Metro station started to unfold – a station which is just a short walk from the embassy. We were then told that the building was in lockdown and we couldn’t leave.

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We then began to see images of what had happened, and the 20 of us in the embassy began to see the true horror of the events unfolding outside. How could someone kill innocent people on their way to work? It was too terrible to comprehend.

My staff got in touch from my office, which looks over to Maalbeek station – used by many people who work in the European Parliament. They could hear sirens and see ambulances and fire engines.

It was then the messages from family and friends started to flood in, to check I was safe. They were relieved.

As the morning went on, it emerged the trains had been stopped and roads were closed, placing the city in lockdown. The streets were being emptied and security was being intensified.

Belgian authorities were asking people again not to leave buildings as they searched for two suspects who were on the run.

By now my staff were trying to rearrange travel as I was supposed to fly from Zaventem on Tuesday evening. I managed to get a seat on a flight from Amsterdam, and a kind soul I met in the embassy was driving to that city and offered to take me. I was incredibly grateful.

Yesterday’s events were terrible, shocking and tragic and our thoughts and prayers are with the people who have been killed and their families.

l Catherine Stihler is a Labour MEP for Scotland

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