Zakaria’s testimony: Anderlecht teen survives brutal burning attack

“I’m still alive.” These were the words Zakaria, 15, used to reassure his loved ones after waking from his coma on Wednesday. The teenager from Anderlecht, the victim of an exceptionally violent attempted murder last Friday, gave his first testimony to the daily newspaper De Telegraaf.

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The incident took place during an altercation with a group of young people. Doused with petrol and then set on fire, Zakaria ran about twenty metres while engulfed in flames before throwing himself into a canal, despite not knowing how to swim. Rescued by his friends, he was taken to hospital in critical condition. The victim now says he no longer remembers what started the dispute and insists that he does not know his attackers.

The medical assessment remains serious. Suffering third-degree burns to his face, legs and buttocks, the young man will have to undergo at least five surgical procedures and remain in hospital for at least one month. His father, Mohammed, fears irreversible after-effects and permanent skin hypersensitivity.

On the judicial front, the investigation is moving forward: one of the suspected attackers has been identified and placed in a juvenile detention centre.