Locals feel relief after Facebook app confirms safety of friend in Paris attacks
JHB – A local family says that they were glad to hear their friend in France was safe after the recent terror attacks.
The Zaal family in Linden said that they felt relief after a Facebook app called Paris Terror Attacks: Facebook Safety Check confirmed that their friend was safe after terror attacks in Paris, France, on 13 November. The death toll stands at 129, after bombs went off and shots were fired on civilians in crowded parts of the city.
The app has since notified friends of people staying in Paris, that they were safe during the ordeal. “It was great to hear that Maxime was alright,” said Dawn Zaal. Maxime Brellmann had previously studied political science at the University of Johannesburg as an international student in 2012 and 2013. He had befriended the family’s older son Nicholas, and met with the family socially on several occasions. Brellmann returned to France afterwards, but when he was to graduate at UJ in 2014, he stayed with the Zaals in Linden for two weeks. When Brellmann’s mother visited briefly for the graduation, the Zaals held a true South African braai for her. During this time, Brellmann was interviewed by the Northcliff Melville Times about his opinion of living and studying in South Africa.
Brellmann was back in Paris during the attacks, and almost attended the France vs Germany international friendly soccer match at the Stade de France stadium. Two suicide bombers blew themselves up just outside the stadium, but reportedly only managed to kill one other person. The Zaal family added that the event seemed very real to them, because their good friend was nearly involved.
Do you have any friends or family who were affected by the terror attacks?What do you think about the Facebook app?
