Yverdon remembers Nice attack victims
A ceremony took place on Friday in the Swiss town of Yverdon to commemorate the deaths of a local mother and daughter who were killed in the July 14 terrorist attack in Nice, France.
The six-year-old girl was confirmed dead on July 15 and her 31-year-old mother three days later. A 54-year-old woman from canton Ticino also died in the attack.
Between 150 and 200 people gathered in Yverdon, a lakeside town in central Switzerland. Mourners proceeded in silence to the Protestant church, where they laid flowers, stuffed animals and messages of support for the victims and their family members.
Many of the attendees were members of the Brazilian community, the country of origin of the mother.
The Yverdon municipal government showed its solidarity with the victims. A flag that was flying on the town hall was brought to Bern on Friday, and the authorities said they would be doing what they could to help the family once they return to Yverdon from Nice.
At least 84 people died and more than 350 were injured when Tunisian citizen Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel drove a lorry into crowds celebrating Bastille Day on the Promenande des Anglais in Nice on July 14. Islamic State has claimed responsibility. The driver was shot by police but five further suspects have appeared in court charged with terror offences.
The Swiss attorney general opened criminal proceedings in response to the Swiss deaths. The move is standard practice and enables the Swiss authorities to cooperate better with their counterparts in France.
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