2 Bangladeshis killed in Christchurch shooting, not 3

The government of Bangladesh has clarified that two of its nationals were killed in the horrifying terrorist attack on two mosques in New Zealand’s Christchurch on Friday during jum’a prayers.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam made the clarification while briefing the media in Dhaka on Saturday.

“Ten Bangladeshis were affected [by the attacks]. Two of them died and three others are missing,” said Shahriar Alam.

Shahriar, however, did not name the two Bangladeshis killed in the attacks.

“The government will provide all the assistance to bring the bodies back if their families want,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Honorary Consul Shafiqur Rahman Bhuiyan said that even though Dr Abdus Samad and Hosne Ara have been reported to be dead, they cannot yet confirm anything.

“There hasn’t been any official confirmation,” Bhuiyan said Saturday, adding that they were yet to receive any body or information from the New Zealand government. “So, how can we say they are dead?”

“However, we got incorrect information about Dr Abdus Samad’s wife. She didn’t die in Friday’s attack. She’s fine,” he added.

The five injured are Lipi, Motasser, Md Omar Faruk, Shahjada Akter, and Sheikh Hasan Rubel. Of them, Lipi and Motassif are critically wounded.

On the other hand, Mozammel Haq, Shaon and Zakaria Bhuiyan are missing, according to unofficial information.