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Kerala man who died in Sudan violence was set to come home in May

Albert was hit by a stray bullet while he was standing near the window of his flat talking to his son in the UK.

Published Apr 17, 2023 | 1:16 PM ⚊UpdatedApr 17, 2023 | 1:16 PM

Albert Augestine. (Facebook)

The Indian national who died of bullet injuries in the violence-hit Sudanese capital city of Khartoum two days ago was all set to come here for a few days in May when the tragedy struck.

Albert Augestine — a retired soldier hailing from Kannur in Kerala — had called his wife and daughter to Sudan a couple of weeks ago to celebrate Easter with them and had booked tickets to travel back with them on 3 May.

Hit by stray bullet

However, on Saturday, 15 April, a stray bullet hit him while he was standing near the window of his flat talking to his son in the UK, the victim’s father told the media in Kannur.

Albert’s wife and daughter, who were with him at the time, escaped unhurt and moved into a bunker under the flat.

They were later shifted to a safe place and provided food, according to information received from the Indian Embassy in Sudan and the company Albert worked for, his father said.

The body could be shifted to a local hospital in the Sudanese capital city of Khartoum only after more than 24 hours due to the ongoing military conflict in the region.

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Centre offers help

On Sunday, Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan had said that Albert’s family will be provided all necessary help and added that steps are on to bring his body back to the country.

Albert, hailing from Alakode in Kannur district, was working in a Dal Group company in Sudan.

Meanwhile, Kerala Congress chief K Sudhakaran wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday seeking his urgent intervention to expedite the repatriation of Albert Augestine’s remains to India.

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 (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) April 16, 2023

Explosions and clashes were reported in various areas in Khartoum in the backdrop of escalating tension between a paramilitary force and Sudan’s Army.

According to official data, the number of Indians in Sudan is around 4,000, including 1,200 who have settled down in the country decades ago.

Sudan’s military captured power in a coup in October 2021 and has been running the country through a sovereign council since then.

There has been a dispute between the Army and the paramilitary over a proposed timeline for handing over power to a civilian government.

(Disclaimer: The headline, subheads, and intro of this report along with the photos may have been reworked by South First. The rest of the content is from a syndicated feed, and has been edited for style.)