- Thursday, April 25, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
An Indian national lost his life on Sunday (16) after being hit by a stray bullet in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, after violence rocked the city over clashes between regular army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Saturday (15).
The Indian embassy in Khartoum identified the deceased as Albert Augestine, who worked in Dal Group company in the northern African nation.
“It has been reported that Mr Albert Augestine, an Indian National working in a Dal Group Company in Sudan who got hit by a stray bullet yesterday succumbed to his injuries,” the embassy tweeted and said that it was in touch with the bereaved family.
Press Release
It has been reported that Mr Albert Augestine, an Indian National working in a Dal Group Company in Sudan who got hit by a stray bullet yesterday succumbed to his injuries.
Embassy is in touch with family and medical authorities to make further arrangements.
— India in Sudan (@EoI_Khartoum) April 16, 2023
The Indian embassy has been repeatedly cautioning Indians staying in Sudan not to venture out of their homes as disturbances continued.
Augestine, 48, hailed from Nellippara village in Kannur district of the southern state of Kerala, the Indian Express reported. Another person from Kerala who worked in the deceased person’s neighbourhood in Sudan informed his family in India about the tragedy.
India’s external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar expressed grief over Augestine’s death and said India was concerned over the situation in Khartoum and would continue to monitor the developments.
Deeply grieved to learn about the death of an Indian national in Khartoum. The Embassy is making all efforts to extend fullest assistance to the family.
The situation in Khartoum remains one of great concern. We will continue to monitor developments. https://t.co/GJ9iFowLwu
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 16, 2023
Augestine’s father Augustine Alavelil told India’s Hindu newspaper that his son was killed in an incident that took place around 9.45 pm local time. He had gone to Sudan seven months ago after receiving a sponsorship from the Dal Group, the daily report added. His wife Sybella and daughter Mareetta had joined him earlier this month when they went to Sudan for vacation and were staying with him when the deadly incident took place.
His father said that he was hit by the bullet while speaking over the phone to his son who is studying in Canada. He was standing near a window of his flat.
Official data said that there are around 4,000 Indians living in Sudan, including 1,200 who settled in that country years ago.
The Sudan Tribune reported on Monday (17) that at least 97 civilians have been killed in the country since the outbreak of the armed conflict.
(With agency inputs)
