3 Bangladeshis among 4 killed in Libya clash

Dhaka – Four people, including three Bangladeshis, were shot dead when unidentified gunmen fired shots on them in Benghazi, the second largest city of Libya, on Friday evening, said an official on Sunday.

ASM Ashraful Islam, councillor of Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, said that the three Bangladeshi nationals — Hasan of Jessore, Rahim of Rajbari and Humayun of Jhenidah — were killed during the shooting.

However, the identity of another deceased could not be known yet, but he is believed to be a Pakistani national, he added.

Ashraful Islam said clashes are regularly taken place there and it is very difficult to get the exact information as there are no available easy means to do so.

“We came to know about the incident from co-workers over phone,” said the official mentioning that the three Bangladesh nationals came under the gun attack when they tried to flee the trouble zone seeing the gunmen.

Ashraf said the workers used to live together with their friends from other countries and they were trying to come out from their shelters.

“It’s very difficult to get exact information here. We’re yet to get their passports. If we get their passports, then we’ll be able to contact with their family members in Bangladesh,” he said.

Responding to a question, the official said bodies are now kept at Benghazi Medical College Hospital. “So, there is no decision yet when the bodies will be sent back Bangladesh.”

Meanwhile, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam on his Facebook post wrote on Sunday that four Bangladesh nationals were killed in a clash between two conflicting groups in Benghazi.

He identified the victims as Humayun Kabir of Mymensing, Jasim Uddin and M Hasan of Rajbari while identity of another Bangladesh national is yet to be known.

The State Minister also mentioned that Bangladesh Embassy in Tripoli is working on necessary steps.