300 people attend vigil in Middelkerke for toddler who drowned in stream

A somber crowd of around 300 people gathered in Middelkerke to hold a vigil for a 2-year-old girl who tragically drowned in a local stream.

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I wanted to do something for the family. This is the least we could do. Bringing people together and sharing grief.

The young child is believed to have wandered out of her home unnoticed while her grandmother and sister were asleep. She was discovered in the stream shortly after and tragically passed away in the hospital.

At the site of the accident, friends and family members laid down stuffed animals and flowers, creating a poignant memorial. The gathering was made even more emotional when the girl's favorite song, "Ella elle l’a" by France Gall, was played. Her mother shared that the toddler loved to sing and dance.

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The sister of the deceased girl was at school with me. Her dad sometimes came to the football where my mom works. So I saw them regularly.

During the vigil, a minute of silence was observed, followed by applause. Before departing, the family personally thanked the emergency services who had responded to the incident, which occurred just a few dozen meters from their home.

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It was a toddler who loved to sing and dance.