The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expresses deep concern and condemns the tragic incident that occurred in the Belgian city of Hasselt
The bodies of two Ukrainian citizens—a mother and her six-year-old daughter—were discovered during the response to a large-scale fire in one of the private residences. Offering condolences to the families of the victims, the Ukrainian diplomatic authorities are actively responding to this tragedy and are taking necessary measures to establish all circumstances surrounding this event. Foreign Minister Andrii Sibiga personally instructed the Ukrainian embassy in Belgium to monitor the case at the highest level. Representatives of the Ukrainian diplomatic mission are already maintaining continuous contact with the families of the victims and are working closely with local law enforcement authorities—including the police and the prosecutor’s office. According to the MFA’s press service, all relevant agencies are in communication, and the investigation is actively progressing to determine the causes of this tragic event. The statement emphasizes that the bodies of the two victims were found during the fire suppression efforts—both had suffered stab wounds, and the crime scene had been set on fire, which complicates the criminal proceedings and requires thorough and immediate investigation. The prosecutor’s office of the city of Leuven has already opened a criminal case and begun investigative actions. Ukrainian diplomats are working tirelessly to provide comprehensive consular assistance to the families of the victims and to keep the public informed about the progress of the investigation. What preceded this tragic event? In Hasselt, two Ukrainian women—aged 46 and her six-year-old daughter—were found dead in a private house. Preliminary examinations showed that both victims had stab wounds. Additionally, the scene of the crime was set on fire, further complicating the criminal investigation. Authorities have already opened a case for double murder, and investigators are striving to uncover the motives behind the crime. According to information, the husband of the deceased, reportedly currently on the front lines, is in Ukraine’s conflict zone. This may suggest that the tragedy had personal or conflict-related motives, although this information currently requires confirmation by the investigation. Additionally, we recall that a recent tragic incident occurred in Germany, where two Ukrainian citizens aged 36 and 22 were murdered. It was later established that they were military personnel undergoing rehabilitation in Bavaria after injuries. A 57-year-old Russian citizen has been detained in connection with this crime and has been remanded in custody. The Ukrainian MFA continues to monitor the developments and provides all possible support to the families of the victims. All the circumstances of the tragedy are under investigation, and diplomatic representatives are exerting maximum effort to establish the truth and ensure those responsible are held accountable. The public and Ukrainian compatriots in Belgium and other countries can be assured that Ukrainian diplomats are committed to doing everything possible to protect the rights and interests of their citizens in this difficult situation.