These flowers, along with a “Je Suis Bruxelles” scrawling, now form part of a tribute in front of Moscow’s Belgian Embassy after the world awoke to a series of three explosions in Brussels. These acts have since been confirmed by Belgian authorities as a “blind” and coordinated terrorist attack. After two bombs detonated at the Zaventem airport (where at least one was through a suicide bomber) and one more at a subway station, at least 26 were confirmed dead with over 130 additional victims injured. Police have already apprehended two suspects and more are likely at large.
This morning echoes the tragedy of last November’s Paris attacks, in which over 120 people lost their lives. Some outlets wonder whether this renewed terrorism could possibly be an act of revenge after the eighth Paris suspect, Salah Abdeslam, was shot and taken into custody last week in Brussels.
Around the world, people are struggling to cope in the face of yet another senseless mass tragedy. So, they’re coming together — as humans do — with a dedicated hashtag, #JeSuisBruxelles, which has seen a variety of somber and defiant artwork in support of Brussels.
First up, this image has made major rounds by uniting the November 13 Paris attack date with its newfound companion, March 22.
#Bruxelles L'hommage de Plantu https://t.co/sBBY9mGViE pic.twitter.com/WNoXNAwCUT
— Le Monde (@lemondefr) March 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/SanchezMyriam_/status/712196972145418241
#JeSuisBruxelles praying for the families…so sad…senseless tragedy 😥💔😥💔 pic.twitter.com/w0ab5mvieg
— tara strong (@tarastrong) March 22, 2016
Une pensée émue. #Bruxelles pic.twitter.com/oQAhk8JFoB
— Le Figaro Culture (@Figaro_Culture) March 22, 2016
Some tributes stand in defiance with a refusal to be afraid.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDP6xr9ilgb/
— Christophe Conte (@christopheconte) March 22, 2016
DESSIN: Réaction après les attentats de #Bruxelles pic.twitter.com/Zpqn44JOHq
— BIDU-Dessinateur (@BIDUDessinateur) March 22, 2016
stop the madness #JeSuisBruxelles pic.twitter.com/XkY7uzgbuP
— – (@LauraZovi) March 22, 2016
Spray for #Bruxelles pic.twitter.com/xzHNBBzZ0T
— Rénald ZAPATA (@zapata_painter) March 22, 2016
Soutien à #Bruxelles #jesuisbruxelles pic.twitter.com/PkY30R2GP3
— NathalieBissotCampos (@NathalieBissotC) March 22, 2016
#Life & #Art must go on … F*** #Terrorism ! #Art #JeSuisBruxelles #Zaventem #MannekenPis #NoAK47 #NoWar pic.twitter.com/IuC40efj4v
— Mazel Galerie (@MazelGalerie) March 22, 2016
Attentats Bruxelles le Maneken pleure #Bruxelles #attentatbruxelles #dessin pic.twitter.com/Fjoloqxv0w
— jean-baptiste rony (@jibeyatelier) March 22, 2016
And still more saddened reactions pour onto the internet.
All my support to Belgian people in the hard times they are going trough #JeSuisBruxelles #PrayForBelgium pic.twitter.com/VG4fzzM8m6
— Fernando Torres (@Torres) March 22, 2016
Thinking of those affected in #Brussels right now pic.twitter.com/QZz07CO6uL
— shitty watercolour (@SWatercolour) March 22, 2016
My support to Belgium and the victim’s relatives #PrayForBelgium #JeSuisBruxelles pic.twitter.com/BZ7TSOQxb0
— Pedro Rodríguez (@_Pedro17_) March 22, 2016
Terrorism is a military tactic with the only purpose to scare people. Même pas peur! #JeSuisBruxelles pic.twitter.com/xiCibOs6cV
— Ari’s Midnights (@ArianeFerguson) March 22, 2016
I feel angry for what happened today in Brussels. All my support #JeSuisBruxelles pic.twitter.com/1q6YCQbVim
— Marc Márquez (@marcmarquez93) March 22, 2016