A pair of New York City siblings were killed in the Tuesday terror attacks on Brussels’ airport and subway system, a family-friend confirmed Friday.
“The Pinczowski family confirms that their children Sascha and Alexander died during the attacks in Brussels,” Fans Van Herteren said in a statement. “The family would like to express their gratitude for all the compassion and they now need time to grieve.”
U.S. officials confirmed Friday that two Americans died in the blasts but did not reveal their names.
The Pinczowski siblings traveled to the Brussels airport early Tuesday and called a family member shortly before the bombs went off. During the call, the relative heard an explosion. Then, the line went dead.
Two more Americans, a married couple from the South, are still missing.
Justin Shults, a Tennessee native, and his wife Stephanie, originally from Kentucky, dropped Stephanie’s mother off at the airport before the blasts.
While the mom is fine, relatives have not heard from the couple, who moved to Brussels about two years ago.
About an hour after twin blasts rocked Brussels airport, a third bomb went off at the city’s Maelbeek metro station. The attacks killed 34 people and wounded more than 200 more, including 12 Americans.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry visited the Belgian city Friday to meet with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel.
“United States is praying and grieving with you for the loved ones of those cruelly taken from us, including Americans, and for the many who were injured in these despicable attacks,” Kerry said.
He also vowed to fight against the ISIS, which claimed responsibility for the deadly blasts.
“We — all of us representing countless nationalities — have a message for those who inspired or carried out the attacks here or in Paris, or Ankara, or Tunis, or San Bernardino, or elsewhere: We will not be intimidated,” Kerry said. “We will not be deterred.
We will come back with greater resolve with greater strength — and we will not rest until we have eliminated your nihilistic beliefs and cowardice from the face of the Earth.”
