Image released, Afghan Sports Society
Many have expressed condolences to the young player through social websites
In Afghanistan, a young footballer was confirmed dead after falling from a U.S. military plane as he was leaving Kabul airport.
Jackie Anuri, 19, is a member of the Afghanistan youth team.
No further details have been released on the time of his death.
Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, thousands of people have rushed to Kabul airport, while Western nations are rushing to evacuate their citizens and their Afghan counterparts.
Images circulated Monday show hundreds of people running with him as a U.S. Air Force plane moves down the runway. Some saw the fuse sticking out.
At least two people were killed when the plane crashed shortly after takeoff, according to local media reports. The U.S. Air Force confirmed the discovery of human remains on the plane’s landing gear after landing in Qatar.
In a Facebook statement, the Directorate General of Physical Education and Sports of Afghanistan praised Anuri.
“We hope he will live in paradise and pray to God for his family, friends and fellow athletes,” the Sports Authority said.
Others mourned him on social media.
And one Instagram user wrote, “His passing is very sad. I have always loved your memory.”
It temporarily controls about 4,500 U.S. troops at Karzai International Airport in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.
The Taliban prevented people from entering the airport without travel documents to Afghanistan – but even those with proper permits fought back.
Amid the chaotic scenes at the airport, US President Joe Biden defended his handling of the US exit from Afghanistan.
“The idea of being able to leave without creating chaos … I don’t know how it could have happened,” he told ABC News on Wednesday.
Biden said US forces would have to remain in Afghanistan beyond the August 31 deadline agreed with the Taliban.
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