Third family member dies in Sylhet

A THIRD person from a British Asian family has died from suspected poisoning in Sylhet, Bangladesh, media reports said.

Samira Islam, 20, became the latest victim from a family of five on a two-month holiday visiting their relatives in Bangladesh. They were from the Riverside area of Cardiff in Wales.

She died last week after being found unconscious in a locked room by police on July 26.

Her father, Rafiqul Islam, 51, a taxi driver, and his 16-year-old son, Mahiqul, also died in the rented flat in Sylhet last month.

According to the BBC, Samira’s mother, Husnara, 45, and the older son, Sadiqul, 24, have recovered and were discharged

from hospital.

Reports said the family were found unconscious after eating dinner on July 25. They were found the following day after relatives raised the alarm.

“Our primary suspicion is they were poisoned,” said Bangladesh police superintendent Farid Uddin.

“Our investigators are speaking with the relatives of the victims. So far we don’t think they have enmity with anyone.”

Reports said the family had slept in the same room and the doors were locked. There was no sign of forced entry.

Some reports suggested the tragedy happened due to the use of a faulty electricity generator in the property as there was no power at night.

Masudul Amin, the investigating officer, told the BBC: “We are also speaking to relatives who were in the apartment and other residents of the building. No one has been detained or arrested in this murder.”

Muhibur Islam, an official at the Jalalia mosque and Islamic education centre who has known the family for many years was quoted as saying by the broadcaster: “It’s terrible. It’s very tragic, hard to take in. The circumstances are not clear. We’re praying that those who have survived will pull through. We’re praying for them all.”

Meanwhile, hundreds of people came out in Sylhet to pay their respects during the funerals of Rafiqul and Mahiqul.