Belgium marked the 10th anniversary of the March 22, 2016 Brussels bombings, which killed 32 people and wounded more than 300. Ceremonies began at Zaventem airport and continued at Maelbeek metro, attended by King Philippe, Queen Mathilde and Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. Authorities say security and intelligence sharing have improved — state security staff rose from 600 to 950 and a shared extremist database lists 555 priority names — but many victims still seek formal recognition and compensation.
Belgium Marks 10th Anniversary of the 2016 Brussels Bombings as Survivors Demand Justice
The 2016 Brussels attacks saw bombings at the city's main airport and at a metro station (DIRK WAEM)(DIRK WAEM/BELGA/AFP)
Belgium on Sunday observed the 10th anniversary of the March 22, 2016 jihadist bombings in Brussels — attacks that killed 32 people and injured more than 300, and which officials say reshaped the country’s approach to intelligence and counterterrorism.
Commemorations and Attendance
The remembrance began at 08:00 (07:00 GMT) at Brussels Airport in Zaventem, the same time the suicide bombers struck, and continued an hour later at Maelbeek metro station before concluding at a monument to the victims. King Philippe, Queen Mathilde and Prime Minister Alexander De Croo attended the ceremonies as survivors and relatives recounted the morning’s horror.
Survivors’ Testimonies
“Telling you that living this life is easy would be a lie. I wake up every day with the memories of horror. I look at my body that has been burnt, bruised and torn apart,” said Beatrice de Lavalette, who lost her legs in the airport blast.
De Lavalette described lying wounded on the airport floor and resolving to survive. In the years since, she has become a Paralympic equestrian, a testimony to resilience amid trauma.
Background: The Attacks
The March 22 strikes were carried out by the same jihadist cell linked to the November 13, 2015 Paris attacks. After the Paris assaults the perpetrators regrouped in Brussels; the March 22 attack followed the March 18 arrest of Salah Abdeslam, the only surviving member of the Paris cell. On the Tuesday morning, three suicide bombers detonated explosives at Zaventem airport and the packed Maelbeek metro station near European Union institutions.
Official Response and Reforms
Belgian authorities acknowledge security failings in the run-up to 2016 and say they have since taken major steps to improve coordination and capacity. OCAM, the national threat analysis centre, reports the number of state security staff rose from 600 to 950 over the past decade. Officials also highlight the creation of a shared database of extremist profiles accessible to national and municipal services.
Current Threats and Monitoring
OCAM’s shared registry listed 555 names under priority monitoring last year, with 86% flagged for Islamist extremism. The national threat level remains at “serious” (3 on a 4-point scale) amid heightened regional tensions related to the war in the Middle East and recent attacks, including a blast at a Liège synagogue earlier this month and incidents in the Netherlands targeting Jewish communities.
Victims’ Rights and Ongoing Grievances
Despite institutional reforms, many survivors and relatives say they still struggle to obtain official recognition of their physical and psychological injuries, which limits access to compensation. “Many victims and many relatives feel abandoned. This is a struggle for recognition and financial justice,” said Edmond Pinczowski, who lost two adult children in the airport attack.
Looking Forward
Officials stress lessons have been learned and reforms implemented, but the anniversary highlighted unresolved needs: improved victim support, continued intelligence sharing, and vigilance against evolving threats. The ceremonies combined solemn remembrance with calls for accountability and better care for those most affected.
mad/ub/gv/rmb — Reporting and quotes as provided by attendees and OCAM statements.
Help us improve.
