Romania will hold one day of national mourning on Thursday, March 24, to commemorate the victims of the Brussels terrorist attacks. More than 30 people were killed in three blasts at the Brussels airport and Maelbeek subway station in Belgium's capital, on Tuesday, March 22.

Thus, on Thursday, the flags will be flown at half-staff and most of the local TV and radio stations will have to remove entertainment programs from their schedules. The cultural institutions should also adapt their programs to this decision.

“It is a sign of homage and solidarity for the residents of Europe’s capital,” said Dan Suciu, spokesman for the Romanian Government, cited by local Mediafax.

Brussels has been shaken by three terrorist attacks on Tuesday, March 22, which killed dozens of people and injured much more, including four Romanians. Two blasts occurred in the morning at the Zaventem airport, and were soon followed by another explosion at the. The Islamic State claimed to be behind these attacks.

The last time Romania declared three days of national mourning was last year, after the tragic incident at Colectiv club in Bucharest, which occurred on October 30. A total of 64 people died after that incident, and many more were injured. According to a recent report, the fire only burned for about 2.5 minutes.

Before that, Romania also held a day of national day of mourning on June 26, 2013, after 18 Romanians died in a bus crash in Montenegro.

April 18, 2010 was also a day of national mourning in Romania, after an aircraft of the Polish Air force crashed near Smolensk, in Russia. Polish President Lech Kaczynski and his wife died on that crash, together with 94 other officials.

Other days declared national mourning days in Romania were August 3, 2007 - for the funerals of the Patriarch Theoctist, April 8, 2005 – for the funeral of Pope John Paul II, March 14, 2004 – after the terrorist attacks in Spain, and September 14, 2001 – after the terrorist attacks in the U.S.

Brussels terrorist attacks: Belgium Embassy in Romania opens condolence book.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com