After the viral clip of people falling to their deaths after latching onto a US C-17 aircraft made the rounds, Afghanistan media outlets have now confirmed that 19-year-old Zaki Anwari was one of those people. The youngster fell to his death after failing to hold onto the plane and became one of the many casualties ever since the resurgence of the Taliban in the land-locked nation.
Zaki Anwari represented his nation at the youth level after entering the team at the age of 16. He lived in Kabul and studied at the Franco-Afghan Esteghlal High School.
“May he rest in heaven and pray to God for his family, friends and sports colleagues,” Afghanistan’s General Directorate of Physical Education and Sports posted a tribute on Facebook.
“You are the painter of your life. Do not hand over the brush to anyone else,” he had written in his last Facebook post.
وسائل إعلام تؤكد أن لاعب المنتخب الأفغاني زكي أنواري كان أحد الضحايا الذين لقوا حتفهم بعد سقوطه من طائرة عسكرية في مطار #كابل أول أمس#أفغانستان#الحدث pic.twitter.com/RXz1vGUYWQ
— ا لـ حـ ـد ث (@AlHadath) August 19, 2021
He had arrived at the airport along with thousands of others following the fall of the nation’s capital to the Taliban.
According to sources, at least two people fell to their deaths while the remains of several other people were found in the landing gear. Sources also confirm that Anwari’s body parts were found on the plane as well once it landed in Qatar.
Footage of several people engulfing a US plane became viral, showcasing the dire situation in Afghanistan and also showing the measures people are willing to take to leave the country.
Taliban’s regime has sent the country and the world into a state of frenzy. While the organization have claimed there is nothing to fear, several fear what’s in store to come, especially regarding women’s rights.
Death of Anwari one of many other tragedies in Afghanistan
The state of the Afghanistan football team is currently in tatters. Former women’s team captain Khalida Popal has urged the current players to burn down their kits. Meanwhile, football officials fear for their safety and are reportedly seeking refuge in India.
Prominent leg-spinner Rashid Khan has also expressed his anguish over the situation in Afghanistan. Representing the Trent Rockets in The Hundred, he is said to be worried about his family members who are still trapped in the country.
The Taliban had arrived at the headquarters of the Afghanistan Cricket Board recently and are said to be on the verge of banning women from cricket. However, they are said to be in favour of men’s cricket and do not intend to stand in their proceedings.
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