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(March 22, 2016, at 8:00 a.m. MDT) 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:
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.
Editors’ Note: This is a breaking story. At least 14 are dead and 80 injured in the Zaventem airport blasts and another 20 are dead and at least 106 injured in the Maelbeek metro station blast.
The Deseret News has added these updates with other additions that can be found here.
None of the injuries are life-threatening, family members and friends said.
“Mom,” said Elder Mason Wells, 19, when he woke up after surgery to repair his ruptured Achilles’ tendon and called his mother in Sandy, Utah, “I was right by it.”
Doctors also operated on the legs of his mission companion, Elder Joseph Dresden Empey, 20, of Santa Clara, Utah.
Elder Empey’s mother posted a message on Facebook.
“We are grateful that Elder Empey and his companion Elder Wells are okay. A senior missionary was … also with them. They were all injured but getting treatment and doing well. Dres will need surgery on a leg wound and does have some shrapnel in his ankles and knee. He has some second-degree burns to his hands and head. He has been in contact with us.
“We would all like to thank you for your love and prayers.”