MISRATA, Libya — Oscar-nominated director and photojournalist Tim Hetherington was one of two celebrated journalists killed Wednesday in the besieged Libyan city of Misrata.
Hetherington, 41, a British-born photojournalist with dual US citizenship, was killed by a rocket-propelled grenade, his family confirmed. He was nominated for an Oscar this year along with co-director Sebastian Junger for “Restrepo,” a documentary about US troops in Afghanistan.
US photojournalist Chris Hondros, based in Brooklyn, was also fatally injured in the attack, according to reports, and two other journalists were injured.
PHOTOS: CHRIS HONDROS’ IMAGES OF WAR
Hondros, who was on assignment for Getty Images, was revived by doctors and rushed to the hospital but The New York Times later reported that he had died from severe brain injuries several hours after slipping into a coma.
British journalist Guy Martin also suffered serious shrapnel wounds, while a fourth journalist, Michael Christopher Brown, suffered non-life threatening injuries, reports said.
According to the AFP, the group was hit by mortar fire on Tripoli Street, the main street in Misrata, which has been under siege for almost two months by troops loyal to Libyan leader Col. Moamar Ghadafi.
Hetherington’s family released a statement to Vanity Fair magazine, for which Hetherington worked as a contributing photographer, paying tribute to his efforts to highlight humanitarian issues.
“It is with great sadness we learned that our son and brother, photographer and filmmaker Tim Hetherington, was killed today in Misrata, Libya, by a rocket-propelled grenade,” it said.
“Tim was in Libya to continue his ongoing multimedia project to highlight humanitarian issues during time of war and conflict. He will be forever missed.”
Hetherington’s website says that he was born in Liverpool, studied literature at Oxford University and was currently living in New York.
In his last tweet Tuesday, he wrote, “In besieged Libyan city of Misrata. Indiscriminate shelling by Qaddafi forces. No sign of NATO.”
A Getty spokesman said the agency had not received any official confirmation on Hondros’ status, but said he had been in touch with agency editors earlier in the day when he filed pictures.
The two deaths illustrated the grave dangers faced by journalists covering the ongoing turmoil in Libya.
President Barack Obama’s press secretary Jay Carney said the White House was “saddened” by the news and was “deeply concerned” about the well-being of those reporting on events in the strife-torn North African state.
“Journalists across the globe risk their lives each day to keep us informed, demand accountability from world leaders, and give a voice to those who would not otherwise be heard,” he said.
“The Libyan government and all governments across the world must take steps to protect journalists doing this vital work. The United States will work to do everything possible to assist those who were injured in getting the care they need. Our thoughts are with these brave journalists and their loved ones.”
TIM HETHERINGTON’S “DIARY”
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