Belgians mourn coach crash victims
- 12 years ago
Mourners in Leuven, Belgium attend mass to commemorate the victims of a coach crash in the Swiss mountains.
The vehicle was carrying 52 people when it hit the side of a tunnel as it returned from a school ski trip, killing 28 people - 22 of them children.
Teachers, classmates, and relatives of those killed were among those at the mass.
Many of the passengers were from St Lambertus School.
Mourners laid flowers and teddy bears outside in tribute, under dozens of pictures drawn in class by pupils to honour the dead.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) RESIDENT OF HEVERLEE, OLIVIER DEVRINT, SAYING:
"Having children myself, I really felt concerned. It is a terrible tragedy that took place. I really feel compassion for the suffering of the parents. I hope it will be all right for them even if it is very hard, and I really wish them a lot of courage."
Earlier in the day, parents were flown to Switzerland on Belgian military aircraft - while some knew their children had survived, others had no confirmation and had to assume the worst.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.
The vehicle was carrying 52 people when it hit the side of a tunnel as it returned from a school ski trip, killing 28 people - 22 of them children.
Teachers, classmates, and relatives of those killed were among those at the mass.
Many of the passengers were from St Lambertus School.
Mourners laid flowers and teddy bears outside in tribute, under dozens of pictures drawn in class by pupils to honour the dead.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) RESIDENT OF HEVERLEE, OLIVIER DEVRINT, SAYING:
"Having children myself, I really felt concerned. It is a terrible tragedy that took place. I really feel compassion for the suffering of the parents. I hope it will be all right for them even if it is very hard, and I really wish them a lot of courage."
Earlier in the day, parents were flown to Switzerland on Belgian military aircraft - while some knew their children had survived, others had no confirmation and had to assume the worst.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.