Sushma Swaraj: Two Indians among 39 killed in Istanbul nightclub attack

Sushma Swaraj – External Affairs Minister of India. Photo courtesy: Twitter page of Sushma Swaraj

External Affairs Minister of India, Sushma Swaraj tweeted that two Indians have died in the terror attack at a nightclub in Istanbul early on January 1.

These two have been identified as Abis Rizvi, the son of former lawmaker Akhtar Hasan Rizvi, and Khushi Shah, a resident of Gujarat.

They were among the 39 people who died in the attack, which had also left 65 others wounded.

"I have a bad news from Turkey. We have lost two Indian nationals in the Istanbul attack. Indian Ambassador is on way to Istanbul," Sushma Swaraj said in a tweet.

"The victims are Mr. Abis Rizvi, son of former Rajya Sabha MP and Ms. Khushi Shah from Gujarat," she added.

The minister spoke with the bereaved families to express her condolences and oversaw the visa arrangements for their travel to Istanbul. 

"I have just spoken to Mr. Akhtar Hassan Rizvi father of Abis Rizvi. He and Mrs. Rizvi also want to go to Istanbul. We r organising their Visa…I have also spoken to Shri Ashok Shah father of Ms. Khushi Shah and conveyed our condolences," she said in another tweet. 

She also asked Indian Ambassador in Turkey Rahul Kulshreshth to receive families at the airport and make other arrangements.