SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - A South Florida family is in mourning after an Emory University student who resided in Miami was among 20 hostages killed in Friday’s terrorist attack in Bangladesh.
The sound of gunfire and explosives rocked the Bangladesh capital of Dhaka Terrorists stormed a bakery café, ending a nearly 11-hour siege. Abinta Kabir, who had close family ties with Miami, was among the 20 hostages and two police officers who were killed, as well as fellow Emory student Faraaz Hossain, a business school student who was from the city where his life was taken, Friday night.
Our thoughts and prayers go out on behalf of Faraaz and Abinta, their friends and family for strength and peace at this unspeakably sad time
— Emory University (@EmoryUniversity) July 2, 2016
A third college student, 18-year-old Tarushi Jain, died before police could reach her. Jain, a University of California Berkeley student, was visiting her father, a longtime garment business owner in Bangladesh, according to Indian government sources.
Kabir was in Dhaka on vacation visiting family and friends. On Saturday, her cousin posted a photo on Instagram. The caption read, “After having Iftar yesterday, she went to that bakery to meet up with her friends. But she didn’t come back alive.”
Residents at the Southwest Miami-Dade neighborhood where Kabir’s loved ones live said they keep to themselves. They have requested privacy at this time.
The terror attack clearly hit close to home for many, including those working in the U.S. Embassy. “Our embassy in Dhaka is conducting accountability. They have accounted for 100 percent of American citizens,” said State Department spokesperson John Kirby.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott released a statement that also mentioned the June 12 massacre at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando. It read, “While we lost 49 Floridians at the hands of ISIS-inspired terror a few weeks ago, we have lost another Floridian to the pure evil of ISIS. When one American is attacked, our entire nation is attacked. We must immediately do everything we can to eliminate ISIS. We cannot afford to see more lives lost at the hands of terrorists.”
In honor and remembrance of Abinta Kabir who was killed in Bangladesh, I've declared flags at half-staff tomorrow https://t.co/dZaQ3Evi9R
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) July 2, 2016
Kabir, a sophomore at Emory, attended Miami-Dade County public schools as a girl.
Miami-Dade Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho expressed his condolences on Twitter:
Our thoughts & prayers are w Abinta Kabir, former @MDCPS student, as we reverently try to make sense of the unacceptable & incomprehensible.
— Alberto M. Carvalho (@LAUSDSup) July 3, 2016
Emory University President James Wagner addressed the tragedy in an email that was later posted on the school’s website. “Abinta was visiting her family and friends when she was taken hostage and murdered by terrorists in the attack yesterday in Dhaka, Bangladesh,” he wrote. “I was able to reach Abinta’s mother, who is in unspeakable pain. Please, as you are inclined, direct your kindest thoughts and sincerest prayers in her behalf and that of her family. As for our Emory family, we will be remembering Abinta in the fall, I am sure, as the family directs and is comfortable.”
Wagner said Hossain and Kabir will be honored when classes resume this fall at the university, which is located in Atlanta. Grief counselors will be on hand.
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