The French Revolution
Four American missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints were injured after three of them dropped off the other at airport security in Brussels.
Sister Fanny Rachel Clain was already through the security checkpoint of Brussels Airportwhen a suicide bomber blew himself up inside.
Richard Norby, Joseph Empey, and Mason Wells of Utah had just finished escorting Clain of Montélimar, France, on a flight to the United States to serve in a mission in Ohio. That’s when a terrorist linked to ISIS detonated his suicide vest, killing at least 14 people and injuring dozens more, including the Americans. (The men were identified by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a statement. Clain, the church later added, also suffered minor injuries.)
Here are their names, faces, and as much information as I’ve been able to find so far:
Joseph Empey: His mom Amber Empey wrote on Facebook, “Dres will need surgery on a leg wound and does have some shrapnel in his ankles and knee. He has some 2nd degree burns to his hands and head.”
“He’s doing great,” she told The Daily Beast.
Mason Wells: Wells has been hospitalized, according to the Daily Beast, and will undergo surgery on his leg which has shrapnel wounds and burns.
Richard Norby was also hospitalized after being “knocked down by the explosion and may have suffered a broken leg or ankle, according to an email from his local church leader posted on Facebook.” Norby works in Paris and helps Mormon missionaries transition back home after their missions.
Fanny Rachel Clain suffered minor injuries, as she’d already gotten through security when the explosion happened.
The church also released a statement:
“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.”
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