Trudeau confirms 2 Canadians, including pregnant newlywed, died in West Africa terrorist attack

On Monday, 18 people died after a terrorist attack in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in West Africa.

Justin Trudeau has now confirmed that two of the victims were Canadian.

Read my statement on the terrorist attack that killed 18 people in Burkina Faso, including 2 Canadians: https://t.co/an9WKCjr1J

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) August 15, 2017

“I am deeply saddened that 18 people, including Canadians Tammy Chen and Bilel Diffalah, were killed during a terrorist attack on a popular restaurant in downtown Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso,” the prime minister said. “Those lost include women and children, and people of many nationalities and backgrounds, who should have felt safe gathering together to share a meal.”

Chen recently married her husband, Mehsen Fenaiche, who was also killed in the attack.

Adding to the heartbreak, the two were also expecting their first child as Chen was six months pregnant, revealed the Toronto Sun.

Meanwhile, colleagues of Diffalah called him a “dedicated volunteer” who was respected by his peers and by the partner organization with whom he was working.

Both Chen and Diffalah were in Burkina Faso for charitable reasons.

Trudeau said that Canada condemns the attack and that people shouldn’t have to live in fear over their safety.

He also added that the Canadian government will continue to work with the international community to fight terrorism and bring those responsible to justice.

“These cowardly acts seek to instill fear and divide us,” said Trudeau. “In the face of hatred, we must stand united in the values of diversity, openness and inclusion.”