The photo of an injured woman, identified as an Indian crew member of the Jet Airways airline, has become a symbolic image of the deadly Brussels blasts that shook Europe Tuesday, making it to the front pages of some foreign publications. The photo shows the woman's face covered in blood and her clothes ripped off as she sits on an airport bench amid shattered glass.
While Jet Airways did not reveal the identity of its injured staff, some reports identified her as Nidhi, an air stewardess with the Indian airline who was injured when two blasts hit Brussels' Zaventem airport. The Indian embassy in Belgium said on its official Twitter account the two injured Jet Airways crew members "Nidhi and Amit" were out of danger.
The Sun described the Indian as the "face of the terror attack," while the Guardian carried the photo on its front page Wednesday. The photo was reportedly taken by a journalist from the Georgian Public Broadcaster based in Brussels when he himself was caught up in the attack at the Zaventem airport.
However, the media have been criticised for using the image showing the injured Indian woman.
"It's sad how insensitive media & SM is being, in broadcasting @jetairways' s injured crew member's photo. Respect her privacy please!!! [sic]," Indian actress and activist Gul Panag tweeted. Jet Airways shared the tweet, and said they appreciated her "concern and support."
The airline said both the injured staff were receiving medical care at a hospital. Several Indians took to Twitter with the #PrayForNidhi hashtag Tuesday.
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had said on Twitter there were no reports of Indian casualties in the Brussels attacks. The Indian embassy in Belgium issued a travel advisory, asking Indian travellers to exercise caution.
Over 30 people were killed in the terror attacks in Brussels, with 20 dying in a blast at the Maelbeek metro station. At least one of the blasts at the Brussels airport was believed to have been caused by suicide bombing. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attacks late Tuesday.
