External Affairs Minister Jaishankar lauds the resilience of Brussels terror attack survivors

The External Affairs Minister took to social media to highlight Chapekar's remarkable courage and resilience in the face of adversity.

“Pleased to meet Nidhi Chaffekar, survivor of the 2016 Brussels attacks. Received his book: Unbroken. Appreciate the spirit and courage. “The title of his book sums up his point of view,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.

Delighted to meet Nidhi Chafekar, a survivor of the 2016 Brussels attacks. Received his book: Unbroken.

Appreciate the spirit and courage. The title of his book reflects his viewpoint. pic.twitter.com/MuSa50gVf1

—Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) 22 April 2024

Former Jet Airways air hostess Nidhi Chafekar attracted international attention when a horrific photo of her bloodied and dazed emerged after the Brussels airport bombings in March 2016. Despite serious injuries, including burns and shrapnel wounds, Chafekar's spirit remained intact.

Chaphekar's book chronicles her journey from the horrific moments of the Brussels attacks to her continued recovery and the strength she found within herself.

Speaking earlier with ANI, Chaphekar said that no one had thought that such an attack could happen in the world, stressing that it was “terrible”.

“This attack in 2016 reminds me of what I lost and how I dealt with my problems when this attack happened. I was there at the airport, and the explosion happened, and after that, I don't remember anything about what happened next… Before that (Brussels bombing attack) no one even thought that such an attack could happen in the world. Could. When I opened my eyes in the hospital, I had no memories left, I had lost everything, I don't remember things, and my legs and arms were broken, my eardrums were damaged,” Chafekar said. Said while talking to ANI.

On 22 March 2016, suicide bombings at Brussels' main airport and metro system killed 32 people and were claimed by the Islamic State group.

The attacks occurred near the headquarters of both NATO and the European Union and were part of a wave of attacks claimed by the Islamic State group (ISIS) in Europe.

Hundreds of passengers and transport workers were left maimed, and seven years later many victims, relatives and rescue workers are still in shock.

Later, the official death toll from the attacks rose to 35.