Victim of Brussels Attack Released from Hospital

Mendy Farkash was wounded in the bombing attack in Brussels almost two months ago.
In an exclusive interview with Bechadrey Charedim he recalls the details of the attack.

"It's a miracle the I was not seriously wounded- it was a very close call", says Mendy in a an exclusive interview with Bechadrey Charedim.

Farkash was released yesterday from Hadassah Ein Kerem relates," We were on our way back to Israel from my brother's wedding in Antwerp. My parents had decided to stay in Belgium one more day so they were not with us. I travelled to the airport with my brother in law Chaim Weintritz and his family.

Ten minutes after arriving in the airport I excused myself for a few moments before returning to my brother in law.

As I was returning a bomb exploded. There was a huge explosion . People were running and screaming in panic. "We have to run!" I screamed, "there's a terror attack."

We started to run and then a second bomb exploded and I collapsed on the floor. Chunks of concrete fell on me, the ceiling collapsed on me. It was a miracle I wasn't seriously wounded. I put my arms over my head as if it was an earthquake. I laid among the rubble bleeding for a long time until a gentile came to help me.

My legs were terrible injured by shrapnel and I was in a lot of pain.

Once I was rescued from the rubble I was placed on a stretcher and brought to a side area where the wounded were gathered until we were taken to the hospital.

At that point I realized that I had been saved by a miracle. Two pieces of shrapnel hit me just two centimeters from my heart. I don't want to think what would have happened had they entered my heart. It would have G-d forbid ended differently.
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I was in so much pain I couldn't figure out what part of me was injured. It was agonizing. While we all lay bleeding in the hanger security forces were running around and combing the area. They did not allow us to leave. People were screaming in pain. It was terrifying.

The evacuation was delayed. After some time the head of Hatzalah in Antwerp came over to me and asked me where I was from and if I had any relatives in Antwerp. I asked him to give me something to put me out. I couldn't handle the pain. Baruch Hashem he gave me something for the pain.

After a number of hours I was taken to a local hospital. I was sedated and on a respirator for 10 days. I developed pneumonia from the smoke inhalation. One of my legs was fractured in 4 places and the main artery was torn in the other.

After ten days I recovered a bit and was transferred with my brother in law to Hadassah Ein Kerem in Yerushalyaim. I was hospitalized here for 45 days. I feel a lot better and I am healing from day to day.

פרקש משוחרר מבית החולים
Farkash Leaving the Hospital


Looking back on this nightmare- what did you take with you?

It gave me chizuk that everyone davened for me. Our names were publicized everywhere and everyone davened. Also the entire Belzer Kehilla supported us. Motty Fired from Saad Umarpeh was at my side and helped me nonstop. Everyone came to help and visit - I wasn't alone for a minute.

How did you feel when you were released the first time for Pesach?
Emotionally it was very liberating- but physically I wasn't up to it. I went back to the hospital right after Yom Tov.

Who is covering your medical bills?

In Belgium the insurance there covered them. Here Kupat Cholim covers it. My brother and law and I have not yet been recognized as terror victims by the State of Israel.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!