‘Heartbroken’ and ‘devastated’ families of UK aid workers killed by Israel pay tribute
The family of British aid worker James Kirby, who was killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza, say they are “utterly heartbroken” by his death – while the relatives of John Chapman say he was “subject to an inhumane act”.
Three British workers were killed in Gaza by the airstrike – in what the IDF has called a “grave mistake”.
John Chapman, James Henderson and James Kirby – who were providing security for World Central Kitchen aid workers – were among seven people from the charity who died after a convoy they were travelling in was hit.
Middle East latest: Israel admits ‘mistake’
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Family of British aid worker on his death
A statement released by Mr Kirby’s family said: “As a family, we are utterly heartbroken by the loss of our beloved James.
“Alongside the other six individuals who tragically lost their lives, he will be remembered as a hero.
“James understood the dangers of venturing into Gaza, drawing from his experiences in the British Armed Forces, where he bravely served tours in Bosnia and Afghanistan.
“Despite the risks, his compassionate nature drove him to offer assistance to those in dire need.
“A genuine gentleman, James was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone, even in the face of senseless violence.
“We kindly request privacy during this incredibly difficult time as we mourn the loss of our dear James.”
James Kirby with his nephew Bobby
James Kirby with his cousin Amy Roxburgh-Barry
And Mr Chapman’s family said: “We are devastated to have lost John, who was killed in Gaza. He died trying to help people and was subject to an inhumane act. He was an incredible father, husband, son and brother.
“We request we be given space and time to grieve appropriately.
“He was loved by many and will forever be a hero. He will be missed dearly”.
John Chapman
Australian Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankcom also died in the attack – along with Palestinian national Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, Damian Sobol from Poland, and dual US-Canadian citizen Jacob Flickinger.
The three British nationals were part of the charity workers’ security team.
Kitchen Lalzawmi Frankcom. Pic: World Central Kitchen/Reuters
Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha
Damian Sobol. Pic: Reuters
Jacob Flickinger
Sunak’s call to Netanyahu
Meanwhile, the prime minister has revealed he told Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu the situation in the region was “increasingly intolerable”.
Mr Sunak told The Sun: “I spoke to Prime Minister Netanyahu last night and was very clear with him that the situation is increasingly intolerable and what we urgently need to see is a transparent investigation into what has happened, but also a dramatic increase in the amount of aid getting into Gaza – removing the barriers – but also closer work with aid agencies to make sure things like this don’t happen again.”
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Speaking from Brussels as he attended a NATO meeting, Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said he had sent “condolences” to the families of the victims, and “our thoughts should be with them”.
He added: “I welcome what the Israeli foreign minister said yesterday to me about a full, urgent and transparent inquiry into how this dreadful event was allowed to happen, and we want to see that happen very quickly.”
David Cameron in Brussels. Pic: AP
Following the tragedy, the Liberal Democrats have called for the UK to suspend its arms deals with Israel.
The crash involving a cargo ship and oil tanker off the East Yorkshire coast is bad news for the sea, fish and air in the area. What we don’t know yet is quite how bad it will be.
That depends on a few things – but the speed of the collision, clouds of filthy black smoke from the fires and the leaked fuel are certainly worrying.
Firstly, it matters what was on board those two massive vessels.
Follow live: Jet fuel spilling into sea after tanker collision
Analytics firm Vortexa estimates the 183m-long tanker was carrying about 130,000 barrels of jet fuel (kerosene), which is now leaking into the sea.
Jet fuel is not as sticky or viscous as heavier types of oil, thankfully, so it’s less likely to clog the feathers and fur of birds and seals. It can also be broken down by natural bacteria.
But it can still poison fish and kill animals and plants on the shoreline if it makes its way into the soil there.
The Marine Conservation Society has pointed out the site in the Humber estuary is close to some protected areas and is important for seabirds and harbour porpoises.
And both ships will have been powered by a dirtier, heavier kind of oil – likely marine gas oil or heavy fuel oil, though we don’t know the details yet.
Heavy fuel oil is nasty stuff.
Pic: Bartek Smialek/PA
Cheap, thick and tar-like, it can smother animals and is very dangerous if they consume it, and is extremely difficult to clean up. Let’s hope this isn’t creeping around the North Sea already.
We don’t know how much of either the jet fuel or the oil powering the ships has leaked, or how much will be burned off in the violent fires – which themselves are ploughing black smoke and filthy air pollution into the surrounding atmosphere.
And we don’t know for sure what was on the Solong cargo ship and if, or what, will go into the sea.
Cargo ship ‘had sodium cyanide on board’
It was carrying 15 containers of sodium cyanide among other cargo, according to a report from maritime data provider Lloyd’s List Intelligence.
The container vessel was also transporting an unknown quantity of alcohol, said the casualty report – an assessment of incidents at sea – citing a message from the local coastguard.
Plastic takes hundreds of years to break down, and potentially can choke or trap animals.
Many of us have seen that uncomfortable viral video of a turtle having a straw yanked out of its nose. Previous accidents on cargo ships have seen plastic Lego pieces wash up in Cornwall 25 years later.
Read more:
How UK North Sea platforms dump gas
Secondly, the impact depends on the sea and weather conditions around it.
Things like the wind and currents affect how an oil spill spreads in the sea. Scientists can draw up computer models to simulate how the oil could behave.
Thirdly, it matters how quickly this is all tackled and then cleaned up, if necessary, and if it can be.
Usually the slower the response, the worse the impact.
The coastguard has said the incident “remains ongoing” and it has started assessing the “likely counter pollution response” that will be required.
Such a response might need the help of numerous public bodies: the government environment department, the transport department, the Environment Agency and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
So for now the best we can hope for – aside from the welfare of the people involved – is that not all the oil is spilled or burnt, that conditions are calm and that rescuers and those cleaning up can work swiftly.
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