4-Year-Old Dies After Tragic Accident in Belgian School Gym Class

Last Friday, while participating in the "Around the World" obstacle course game during the gymnastics class, little Sidra was seriously injured after getting stuck in a gymnastics apparatus. After the first aid provided by the teacher and the school principal, the Moroccan-origin girl was transported to the hospital in critical condition. Five days later, she succumbed to her injuries.

The news of her death was a shock for the school leaders. "This news was a deep shock," reacted Geert De Corte, general director of the Katholieke Scholen aan de Schelde school group. On Wednesday, the day after Sidra’s death, the institution set up a space for mourning "to give everyone a place to express their feelings." "A condolence register is available for those who wish to leave a message and drawing sheets are available for the children," said Geert De Corte.

"When we learned of the accident on Friday, we could only pray for a favorable outcome, then on Tuesday, the terrible news came. The parents, whom we know well, are devastated by grief. For now, they do not yet want contact with the school, it is still too early. We all still have so many questions. Mainly, how could this have happened," said a mother who came to lay a flower at the scene of the accident.

She added: "I empathize with everyone, the school, the parents, but also the gymnastics teacher. He is a good teacher who also teaches my son. He certainly did not want this. He himself has just become a father. This must also be terrible for him." The mother also said that Sidra’s body will be repatriated to Morocco, the country of origin of her parents, to be buried there. An investigation for involuntary manslaughter has been opened, the Antwerp prosecutor’s office said.