Erasmus MC commemorates attack with monument and memorial meeting

Erasmus MC is working on a monument to commemorate the attack that took place on 28 September 2023. An official memorial meeting is also planned for Friday, 27 September. Although the event will be small, it will be livestreamed to lecture halls and offices, allowing students, staff, and others to join.

“We are commemorating the entire wave of violence that struck Erasmus MC on 28 September”, says Maarten Frens, Vice Dean of Education. The ceremony will take place on Friday, 27 September at 1.00 pm. It is being held the day before the 28th as that date falls on a Saturday. “We don’t have a suitable space for a large gathering here”, Frens explains, clarifying why the event will be kept small. The faculty board wants staff and students to be able to come together, so they can follow the memorial meeting via livestream in the Education Centre and the hospital.

On 28 September last year, fear and panic were overwhelming at Erasmus MC. Medical student Fouad L. had shot and killed his neighbour and her daughter before entering the hospital with a gun. In the GK building, he shot a lecturer, who later died. For hours, it was unclear what L.’s intentions were or where exactly he was in Erasmus MC. People saw him walking with his gun and saw him start a fire with a Molotov cocktail in the Education Centre. After several extremely tense hours, the student was arrested. The substantive trial against L. is expected to begin in January 2025.

Monument still in progress

Work on the monument is ongoing. A date for its unveiling has not yet been set. Discussions have already taken place with potential artists, and a location has been chosen: near the exit towards Museum Park. Currently, there are several seating areas with greenery in that passage. “The idea is that people can sit quietly by the monument if they wish”, Frens explains.

Light projection

On the evenings of 27 and 28 September, the Erasmus MC building will be illuminated with a special projection. As was the case last year, two hands holding each other will be visible. Below this will be the date of the attack: 28 September 2023.

Those invited to the ceremony will receive a personal message from Erasmus MC. The livestreams will be accessible in the Querido Hall of the Education Centre, lecture hall 1 and lecture hall 2, and the cinema hall of the Sophia Children’s Hospital.

In a mailing to students and staff, the Executive Board encourages everyone to seek support from colleagues or a study advisor if the upcoming commemoration triggers strong emotions.