Valérie Mbokanga was working at Zaventem airport when the bombs exploded there seven years ago. She told the Brussels Court of Assizes at the trial of 10 persons suspected of involvement in the 22 March 2016 attacks that she served the three suicide bombers just before the blasts.
She was the last person to speak to them.
A waitress at Délifrance, Ms. Mbokanga was working in the dining room on the morning of 22 March. “I had started my shift very early, it was crowded, the room was packed and I went to help my colleague at the cash desk because he was a bit overwhelmed,” she recalled.
‘They were three tourists among tourists’
In the queue, three gentlemen were waiting their turn. One of them was standing a little way back, the man with the hat, “the handsome guy, the ideal son-in-law,” she said.
“I asked him if he was with the other two. He was on the phone. Then I served his companions. They paid and went to sit down. They were three tourists among tourists. When they were done, I went to clear their table.”
Moments later, horror struck the airport. “An explosion, dust, debris. Then quickly, a second blast.”
Ms. Mbokanga's first instinct was to crouch down and then head for the sandwich shop. “I thought all my colleagues were dead. I was in the middle of a war scene with people screaming, dead and injured.”
‘I’ve decided to help those who really need it’
After she came to herself, she decided to stay at the scene and help others instead of fleeing. “I ran left and right. One person had a torn leg, so I stayed by his side until help arrived.”
Seven years after the tragedy, Valérie Mbokanga is still struggling to heal from her psychological wounds. “I suffered no physical harm, but I escaped death and that leaves traces.”
One of her sons was also a victim of the attacks, by ricochet. “He was 17 at the time and I never let go of him. For him, I am a bad mother. I prevented him from living. I locked him up when he was old enough to fly away,” she lamented.
But there is a glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel. “We made up a fortnight ago. He’s 23 and I’d like us to move on. I’m still on antidepressants since the events, but I’ve decided to get out of my pyjamas, and go and help those who really need it.”
