Magherafelt woman set for emotional reunion with parents after Brussels terror attacks

A Magherafelt woman who would normally have used the metro station in Brussels which was targeted in last week's terror attacks, has spoken of the tension which is still gripping the city.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Mar 2016, 17:16 BST
Updated 30th Mar 2016, 08:01 BST
Christelle McKillen from MagherafeltChristelle McKillen from Magherafelt
Christelle McKillen from Magherafelt

Christelle McKillen, 26 will travel to meet her worried parents in France on Thursday, in their first meeting since the devastating events of last Tuesday, which has left 35 people dead and hundreds injured.

Speaking to the Mail on Tuesday from her office at Schuman in the EU quarter, the former St Mary’s Grammar pupil recalled the panic.

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“I left home for work early on that morning, so I hadn’t really heard that anything was going on.

Picture taken with permission from the Facebook site of Jef Versele showing the aftermath of this morning's explosions at Brussels airportPicture taken with permission from the Facebook site of Jef Versele showing the aftermath of this morning's explosions at Brussels airport
Picture taken with permission from the Facebook site of Jef Versele showing the aftermath of this morning's explosions at Brussels airport

“When I got to the office here, there was no-one around, and then I started getting all these messages from my family and friends, to see if I was alright,” said Christelle.

“When I looked out of the window, it was like a war zone, there were armed police and soldiers everywhere and everyone was running around just trying to get home.

“It was almost impossible to get a taxi. It was very scary and very unreal.

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“My housemate was at the airport that morning when the bombs went off, I myself would use that tube station on a regular basis, it is the one I normally use.”

BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE Handout photo taken with permission from the Facebook page of Bart van Meele of the scene at Brussels Airport after two explosions were heardBEST QUALITY AVAILABLE Handout photo taken with permission from the Facebook page of Bart van Meele of the scene at Brussels Airport after two explosions were heard
BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE Handout photo taken with permission from the Facebook page of Bart van Meele of the scene at Brussels Airport after two explosions were heard

One week on from the bombings, Christelle said the atmosphere remains filled with tension and unease, with three armed police standing guard outside her office, a constant reminder. She added: “I am looking forward to meeting my parents, I know how worried they are.”

Related topics:France