Rotterdam: It would seem that the whole of Rotterdam had turned up to pay their last respects to the daughter of Malaysia, Jenny Loh, 55 and her husband Fan Shun Po, 60, the couple they called their own.
Led by the Mayor of Rotterdam, Ahmad Abdoetalib and Dutch celebrity chef Herman den Blijker, the stolle tocht or the silent walk which started at the Schouwburgplein or Theater Land in the port city, snaked its way up the streets, down the underpath and along the shopping mall, until it reached Dimdaily, one of two of the late couple's eateries.
Hundreds wearing white and clutching white flowers, stood in silence as photographers clicked away. The clicking gained momentum as Kevin Fan, 30, the only son of the couple emerged to join the short walk just around the corner to the Asian Glories, the favourite among locals and celebrity chefs here.
It is also popular amongst visitors from Malaysia.
Flanked by the burly chef and the mayor, Kevin cut a vulnerable figure, trying his best to face the world in the wake of the tragedy that robbed him not only of his parents but also his maternal grandmother, Tan Siew Poh, 85.
Roads were blocked and local police directed the traffic to those finding their way to the restaurant. The drizzle didn’t stop the couple's ardent fans and friends although it did stop them from carrying candles as planned.
Outside the restaurant, waitresses stood in their uniforms of dark blue and white, holding candles in silence as the Mayor put his white lilies on top the growing pile of flowers.
“We have lost two great entrepreneurs who were running a successful business in Rotterdam. They are well known entrepreneurs in Rotterdam. They were active in business as well as in social life. We will miss them,” said Aboetalib.
“We want to show our solidarity with families that have gone thrugh a great loss due to this tragic incident. With this gesture we want to share our emotions with each other. Its amazing to see how many people took the initiative to come on this day, even on a windy and rainy day,” added the Mayor.
Earlier, friends and supporters went inside the restaurant to watch a video clip of Loh, Fan and Tan with soft music in the background. Many sobbed uncontrollably.
Kevin put on a brave face and even consoled his parents' friends.
In the wake of the news that the bodies were to be flown to the Netherlands before they were taken back to Malaysia, Kevin said it was agreed that the burial would be in Malaysia.