Tributes have been paid to a British father and his teenage son who were found dead in a flat in Bangladesh after suspected “poisoning”. Rafiqul Islam, 51, and 16-year-old Mahiqul, along with three other members of their family were discovered unconscious by police on Tuesday afternoon. Both died on the way to the hospital and his wife, elder son and daughter continue to receive treatment at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College and Hospital (SOMCH). Husnara, 45, and Samira, 20, remain in critical condition in the intensive care unit (ICU), while Sadiqul, 24, is said to be doing well. The family, from Riverside in Cardiff, were on a two-month holiday visiting family in the country and were renting a flat in the eastern city of Sylhet. Bangladesh Police Superintendent Farid Uddin said: “After discussing the overall situation with the doctors and inspecting the scene, we believe it may have been poisoning. The other people in the building are close relatives of the victims. We challenged them. “For now, we think they fell asleep after dinner last night. Rafiqul Islam, second from right, was a “much loved and respected” member of the Cardiff community, friends said. Credit: Family/PA “This needs to be investigated further. How were they poisoned? How did they die? We will be able to confirm after investigation.” Mr Uddin said the family had slept in the same room after eating dinner on Monday night. The next day, relatives raised the alarm at around 10am after hearing no sound from the flat and unsuccessfully trying to open the door. Supt Uddin added: “After being taken to hospital, the father and younger son were pronounced dead. “Mother and daughter are in critical condition. They have been transferred to the ICU. The other brother, Sadiqul, is receiving treatment.” Authorities initially thought the family had been stricken with food poisoning, but have since launched a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Police are still awaiting the results of the autopsies that have already been done. Family members, including Mr Islam’s mother, brother and sister, have flown to Bangladesh, according to a family friend. Community members say they are in “absolute shock” over the tragedy. Muhibur Islam, from the Jalalia Mosque and Islamic Education Centre, described Mr Islam as “a much-loved and respected member of the community”. “It was a complete shock, it still hasn’t sunk in for everyone. Most of us are now praying that the rest of the family will get through this. All thoughts are that they survive. This is a terrible tragedy and we are in utter disbelief. We ask everyone to pray for the family,” he added. Want a quick and special update on the biggest news? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out what you need to know Mohammed Haroon, general secretary of the Cardiff Bangladesh Association, said he used to work with Mr Islam, who was a taxi driver in Cardiff, and said: “He was a very nice person, a very helpful person who was at the mosque all the time. time. and we’re constantly working with the community.” Mr Haroon said Islam was a member of the local badminton and football teams. “It is very sad. But I believe the eldest son is very well now, he is up and talking. His (Mr Islam’s) daughter is still in a critical condition and his wife is still not out of danger,” added Mr. Harun. A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: “We are providing consular assistance to a British family following an incident in Bangladesh and are in contact with the local authorities.” Riverside Labor councilor Kanaya Singh told Wales Online: “Clearly this is a worrying and tragic event. “Everyone I have spoken to in the community speaks very highly of the family and our thoughts are with them. “There is also a lot of concern because a lot of people from Riverside go to Bangladesh on a regular basis.”
