Chad

French charity worker killed

Article published on the 2008-05-01 Latest update 2008-05-02 09:18 TU

A French worker for charity Save the Children was killed on Thursday in Eastern Chad. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner announced the news, calling the murder "a vile and barbaric act".

 

Pascal Marlinge was working with refugees in the town of Farchana in eastern Chad. According to Save the Children, the 49-year old was in a three-car convoy with two vehicles from another aid agency near the Sudanese border when they were stopped by a gang of armed men. Save the Children says it is unclear how many shots were fired during the incident. Marlinge was killed, but the other aid workers were unhurt.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner announced the death in a statement, calling the killing a "vile and barbaric act". Kouchner called on the Chadian authorities to shed full light on the incident. Kouchner said that the victim's body would be brought to N'Djamena later on Thursday.

Marlinge's wife and teenage daughter, both living in France, have been informed of the incident, Save the Children announced.

"Our thoughts are with Pascal's family at this time", said Save the Children UK chief executive Jasmine Whitbread. “Staff in the UK and Chad are profoundly shocked and upset. Pascal was loved and respected by all colleagues who have worked with him".

The charity has suspended all work in Chad until further notice and has sent a team to assist in the investigation.