A human tragedy of the worst kind unfolded yesterday in the Flemish town of Dendermonde. A 20 year old man went on a killing spree in a day care center. Two babies, 6 and 9 months old, and one adult were stabbed to death, 10 other toddlers and 2 adults were seriously injured in the attack. The assailant fled the scene by bike but was quickly arrested in a nearby town. He is now in custody but is uncooperative police say.
This horrific event has deeply shocked the country. What transpired in the Fabeltjesland nursery defies belief. Of all the media coverage, I was moved to tears by Valerie Droeven’s article in De Standaard: Verweesde mannen in pak (‘Forsaken men in suits’). This is the kind of journalism we need: authentic, transparent, involved. The first person style of reporting makes for an intimate, honest and emotional eyewitness report of absolute horror.
Tom Van Hout 