Three Mormon missionaries injured in Belgium explosion
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The following is a news release from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
BRUSSELS, Belgium — Three Mormon missionaries serving in the Paris, France mission were seriously injured in Tuesday’s explosion at the Brussels airport, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reported this morning.
The three had been accompanying a fourth missionary who was on her way to a mission assignment in Ohio, and who had already passed through airport security.
While detailed, accurate information is difficult to obtain because of limited communications in Brussels, mission President Frederic J. Babin has reported that three of the missionaries were in the proximity of the explosion when it occurred and have been hospitalized.
The injured missionaries, whose families have been notified, are:
- Elder Richard Norby, 66, of Lehi, Utah
- Elder Joseph Empey, 20, of Santa Clara, Utah
- Elder Mason Wells, 19, of Sandy, Utah
The missionaries were taking Sister Fanny Rachel Clain (20) of Montélimar, France, to the airport. Sister Clain had been serving in that mission while awaiting a permanent visa for the United States.
All missionaries in the France Paris Mission have been asked to remain in their apartments.
The First Presidency of the Church promptly issued a statement this morning in response to the bombings:
With much of the world, we awoke this morning to the heartbreaking news of the bombings in Belgium. Our prayers are with the families of the deceased and injured, including three of our missionaries who were injured and hospitalized. We also pray for the people of Belgium and France as they continue to deal with the uncertainty and devastation caused by the recent terrorist attacks.