Sushma promises help to bring bodies of Keralites killed in Libya

Thiruvananthapuram, March 26  External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday promised all help to Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to bring the bodies of a Kerala nurse and her son who were killed in a shell attack at their residence in Libya's Sabratha city, an official said.

"I have received report regarding the death of an Indian nurse and her infant son in Libya," Swaraj said in a tweet.

"This happened in Zawiya, 45 km from Tripoli," she said.

Sunu Sathyan, the nurse who hailed from Kerala, and her son, Pranav, were killed when a shell hit their apartment.

She said that Indian authorities have got in touch with the nurse's husband Vipin and added that there were 26 more Indians working in Zawiya hospital.

The minister also renewed her call to Indians abroad to move out of conflict zones.

"We have issued advisories many times. I request you once again - please move out of the conflict zones," Sushma Swaraj said in another tweet.

According to a report from Kottayam in Kerala, Pranav was 18 months old.

Sunu and Vipin had left for Libya after their marriage in 2012.

The office of Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told IANS that they were making efforts to reach out to people in Libya to find out the latest situation. 

The attack also killed a few others who resided in the same complex, according to reports.

Speaking to IANS, an official in Chandy's office said the chief minister spoke to Swaraj and sought all assistance of the central government.

"We have requested to see that the bodies are brought and also around 15 Keralites, who are working in Libya to return for good to here, after unrest continues there," said the chief minister's aide, who did not wish to be identified.