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Two weeks after the knife attack which caused panic on a British train, Algerian hero Samir Zitouni, an employee of the London North Eastern Railway (LNER), has finally left hospital. His courage, already praised during the incident, continues to deeply move the Algerian community in the United Kingdom and Algeria.
In a statement released on Saturday evening, Samir’s family confirmed that he had been allowed to return home. She thanks “from the bottom of my heart all the people who supported Samir” and now asks for calm so that he can recover peacefully.
According to doctors, his condition has stabilized, but his full recovery could take several weeks or even months.
On November 1, when an individual armed with a knife attacked several passengers on board a train from Doncaster to London, Samir Zitouni reacted without the slightest hesitation. At the risk of his life, he tried to contain the attacker and protect the passengers trapped in the train.
Several witnesses, as well as British Transport Police, described his action as “exceptionally brave”. A purely human, instinctive act, but which caused him serious injuries and a stint in intensive care.
LNER management paid a glowing tribute to its employee, stressing that “in a moment of crisis, Samir stood up to protect others” and that “his actions were incredibly courageous”.
Several unions, passenger associations and local elected officials also called for him to be awarded a medal or a national distinction for his heroic act.
Many members of the Algerian diaspora in Britain were quick to express their admiration for the man they now consider “a shadowy Algerian hero”.
Without uniform, without weapons, Samir Zitouni embodied that day the values of courage, solidarity and responsibility which characterize so many of our compatriots abroad.
The alleged perpetrator of the attack, a 32-year-old man, remains charged with attempted murder. British investigators continue to examine the circumstances of the attack, which does not appear to be a terrorist act according to the first elements communicated.
Samir Zitouni’s action goes far beyond the scope of a simple news item. She reminds us that in times of chaos, it is individual actions that save lives.
The Algerian authorities expressed their full solidarity and moral support to Mr. Zitouni and his family, reaffirming that the protection and assistance of Algerian nationals abroad remains a constant priority of the Algerian State.
Following the incident, David Horne, Managing Director of LNER, said that “Samir did not hesitate in a moment of danger to intervene to protect those around him”, stressing that he showed incredible courage.
“We are very proud of him, as well as all our colleagues who showed such courage that evening. We will continue to support him and we wish a speedy recovery,” Mr Horne added.
Samir’s gesture sparked a wave of support in Britain punctuated by messages of gratitude and recognition to a citizen of foreign origin who did not hesitate to brave danger to save passengers from certain death.