The individual who rescued a woman from train tracks at Brussels-Midi on 14 August is no longer anonymous: he is a 25-year-old undocumented migrant from Algeria, SudInfo reports.
In a video that went viral on social media, Abdel (for Abderraouf) is seen jumping down from one platform, picking up the woman from the train tracks, and pulling her onto the platform on the other side.
The woman had been on the train tracks for a couple of minutes in an attempt to take her own life, and at the end of the video, Abdel is seen crouching down in front of her and speaking to her in a reassuring manner.
Abdel had been waiting for a train to Liège, where he lives with a friend. He travels to Brussels every day in search of work. He told SudInfo that the woman when the woman had sat on the tracks, everyone started yelling. One person in particular cried out that the train was arriving in two minutes. He had to act to save her.
He also said that after the rescue, the woman nevertheless attempted to return to the tracks. Abdel continued speaking to her until the arrival of the police.
Heroic migrants
This is not the first time that an undocumented migrant in Europe has been hailed a hero after saving someone's life.
In 2018, a 22-year-old Malian man scaled four stories of a Parisian building to save a child hanging off a balcony. His heroism was well rewarded: President Emmanuel Macron invited him to the Élysée Palace and offered the young Malian French citizenship.
In regards to any recompense in store for our Brussels hero, Abdel told SudInfo, "I acted for humanity. But if this can help change my life, I won't say no."
Do you need help?
Those in need of a listening ear or with any questions about suicide can contact the Suicide Line anonymously on the toll-free number 1813
02 648 40 14 in (English)
0800 32 123 (French)
www.zelfmoord1813.be (Dutch)
