Inside The Lives Of Young U.S. Missionaries Injured In Brussels Attacks
March 22 2016, Published 6:18 p.m. ET
Three Mormon missionaries were badly injured in a horrific terrorist attack that occurred this morning at an airport in Brussels, Belgium. RadarOnline.com has exclusively learned that the three men, all from Utah – Elder Richard Norby, 66, Elder Joseph Dresden Empey, 20, and Elder Mason Wells, 19 – documented their journey on a blog of their days leading up to the shocking bloodbath. Click through 15 photos inside their lives.
Lloyd Coleman, a friend of the Wells family, said that Elders Wells and Empey were in surgery after the attack this morning.
According to the family friend, both boys suffered burns and other wounds.
"Elder Wells has burns to his hands and legs and some to his face," Coleman said.
Coleman added, "Most of the damage is around his foot and ankle. A heel took the most damage, and the doctors are repairing it, but the family doesn't know how bad that injury is."
Elder Empey's mother took to Facebook to say that, although her son is injured, he will be OK!
"We are grateful that Elder Empey and his companion Elder Wells are okay. A senior missionary was ... also with them. They were all injured but getting treatment and doing well," said Elder Empey's mother, Amber Empey.
"He has some second-degree burns to his hands and head. He has been in contact with us," said Elder Empey's mother on Facebook.
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"We would all like to thank you for your love and prayers," Elder Empey's mother added.
The Utah missionaries were taking Sister Fanny Rachel Clain, 20, of Montélimar, France, to the airport at the time of the blast on Tuesday, said LDS Church spokesman Eric Hawkins.
According to Hawkins, Sister Clian was on her way to a mission assignment in Ohio.
Sister Clain was on in Paris awaiting a permanent Visa for the United States, Hawkins said.
The LDS Church's First Presidency released the following statement this morning: "With much of the world, we awoke this morning to the heartbreaking news of the bombings in Belgium. Our prayers are with the families of the deceased and injured, including three of our missionaries who were injured and hospitalized."
"We also pray for the people of Belgium and France as they continue to deal with the uncertainty and devastation caused by the recent terrorist attacks," the church's statement concluded.
At least 31 people are believed to be dead in these attacks. ISIS has claimed responsibility.