Camille Ilusorio was visiting Brussels, Belgium on a solo trip when terrorist attacks hit Tuesday morning. She is still in Brussels, but confirmed that she is safe. The junior nursing major is studying abroad in London with a program coordinated by University of Oregon's global education office. Through email correspondence, she told The Beacon about the experience.
When and how did you find out about the attacks? Where were you at the time?
I was actually on my way to Berlin and was heading to the airport to catch my flight. While I was walking, my phone got a notification from BBC News about how there was just an explosion that went off at the same airport I was going to fly out of. I was already close to the subway station, but once I got the notification, I was thinking, ‘Oh yeah, better not head that way.’ So I turned around and walked back to the place I was staying at. Once I got back, the subway station attack occurred and the line I was supposed to go on was the same one on which the explosion happened. It's still crazy for me to think that I was about to get on a subway towards the direction of the explosion if I didn't get that notification.
For the rest of the day, I stayed inside and kept myself updated on what was going on.
Are you traveling with any friends?
No, I was traveling solo for this part of the break.
I understand that the second attack occurred in a downtown metro station near some EU offices — can you tell me any more about this location and the significance of it occurring there?
I don't know much, but I know the stop is where a lot of European Union and parliamentary buildings are located. And the bomb went off during prime rush hour time on a really busy line, also.
How long did it take you to get in touch with your study abroad coordinators/friends and family back in the states to tell them you were safe?
Well, it was more difficult than usual because I just so happened to have gotten a new phone before the break started and didn't have any numbers saved from my old phone. So I partly used my phone and Facebook to tell people I was OK. But I was able to get in contact with everyone within a few hours after the explosions!
What is the environment like in Brussels right now?
The city center was full of soldiers patrolling and police cars driving around. I was there before the events happened so I definitely saw a difference in the amount of military present. There aren’t as many people walking about, but there was quite a heavy presence of young, adolescent Belgians that I hadn’t seen prior that were out supporting. The environment was a little tense, understandably, but there was a sense of unity and togetherness.
With the chalk messages, flowers, signs and candles that were left, the singing and hugging, it left a positive and uplifting impression on me and undoubtedly on the people of Belgium. Everyone was there to support each other, despite being from different countries, and it was honestly such a beautiful thing to see and be surrounded by. I haven't been paying as much attention to the support on social media, but what I've been seeing in person has been amazing. One of the signs that stood out to me was written in French and said (translated to English), "United Against Hate.”
I know it's still fresh, but does this change your perspective at all on terrorism and the increasing threats over the last several months?
My view on terrorism hasn't changed, really. I still believe no country should be facing it and no innocent lives should be lost. But I also think it's important not to deal with terrorism with hate. Channeling hatred because we're afraid does not mend terrorism, it only hurts those who are mislabeled because of their religion.
The West Coast woke up Tuesday to news and social media buzzing about terrorist attacks that occurred early that morning in Brussels, Belgium. Here’s what is known:
- Two bombs went off around 8 a.m. at the Zaventem airport – the main Brussels airport. About an hour later, another blast hit the Maelbeek subway station in downtown Brussels, not far from many of the European Union institutions.
- The New York Times reports that the death toll is 31 dead, along with three suicide bombers. Three hundred were injured.
- Immediately after the attacks, the terror threat level in Belgium was raised to a level four. Flights in and out of Brussels remain canceled, and public transportation within the city is limited.
- ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attacks, and two of the bombers have been identified as brothers and a third suspect is being sought. The New York Times reports that they have connections to some of the Paris attackers.
