Zaki Anwari, 17 at the time of his death, was confirmed to be among those who died after attempting to board Boeing C-17 as it took off from Kabul airport.
A disturbing video surfaced on the internet days before that showed people falling from planes mid-air, in the midst of mass evacuations that are currently taking place in Afghanistan.
Arif Peyman, head of media relations for the sports federation and Olympics Committee, confirmed his death in an interview to the New York Times. He lamented that the Taliban’s arrival diminished Anwari’s hopes and that the youngster had wanted a better life.
“He was kind and patient, but like so many of our young people, he saw the arrival of the Taliban as the end of his dreams and sports opportunities. He had no hope and wanted a better life,”
Peyman regarding Anwari to New York Times.
According to The Times, Anwari was caught in the landing gear as the plane attempted to take off. His remains were reportedly found by the crew in the wheel well afterwards.
Condolences poured in on social media as the news of Anwari’s demise was made public.
FIFPro – a representative organization of over 65,000 footballers worldwide – tweeted their sympathies, sharing their condolences with the youngster’s family, peers, and teammates.
“This is crushing. I am a mother of a 19-year-old who loves to play football; [Zaki Anwari] we all failed you. May your home in heaven be kinder than the one you encountered here.”
– wrote journalist Grant Wahl, while another person commented.
With the return of the Taliban and the swift fall of Kabul, thousands of people have attempted to flee Afghanistan in the last week. Several have lost their lives in the process. Evacuations, however, have continued.
