“It all happened in a split second. We thought we were in the crossfire. But, eventually, we realized they were shooting at us. You could see and hear the bullets hitting the ground near us.” -James Foley, speaking to Global Post

Very sad news over the weekend as the world learned that photojournalist Anton Hammerl was killed in Libya in early April. Hammerl went missing in Libya in early April 2011 (previously on dvafoto), along with three other journalists, but there was no information about his whereabouts or condition. Late last week, word reached Hammerl’s family that the photographer was shot in early April and later died of his wounds. In the message posted to the Free photographer Anton Hammerl group on Facebook, the Hammerl family reports, “On 5 April 2011 Anton was shot by Gaddafi’s forces in an extremely remote location in the Libyan desert. According to eyewitnesses, his injuries were such that he could not have survived without medical attention.” On Hammerl’s photoshelter page, there’s a set of some of the photographer’s last-uploaded images from the war in Libya.

Donations to support the family of Anton Hammerl are being accepted through FreeFoley.org.

Accounts of Hammerl’s last moments, as well as remembrances and memorials have been appearing online. Below is a list of a few such accounts:

• British High Commissioner releases a statement on the death of South African photographer, Anton Hammerl
• Remembering Anton Hammerl
• Missing Photographer in Libya Is Presumed Dead
• And here’s to you, Anton!…by Edgar Martins
• An astute, thoughtful lensman: South African photographer killed in the Libyan desert had an artist’s eye
• The calling ~ IM Anton Hammerl ~
• Rights groups call for release of photographer’s body, investigation
• A Day Under Fire with Anton
• Libya: Release Body of South African Photojournalist
• Anton Hammerl Dead: Photojournalist Killed In Libya
• Hamba Kahle Anton
• Remembering Anton Hammerl and His Work in Libya
• Safrea calls for formal investigation into Hammerl case
• Photographer tells of desert ordeal
• Reporters’ release tempered by news of colleague’s death
• Anton Hammerl is dead – family
• Anton Hammerl Is Still Missing in Libya

Anton Hammerl, missing in Libya

At this week’s World Press Photo awards ceremony, winner Jodi Bieber called for the safe return of South African photographer Anton Hammerl, who was taken by pro-Gaddafi forces on April 5, 2011. According to CPJ, the South African government was told on April 22 that Hammerl was healthy and would be able to speak to his family soon. Since then, nothing has been heard about his whereabouts, health, or the conditions of his detainment. Other journalists detained at the same time, Clare Morgana Gillis, James Wright Foley and Manu Brabo, have been able to contact their families, but Hammerl’s family has heard nothing. His family has renewed efforts to contact him. Friends of the photographer have set up a facebook page to spread word about his situation.

Hammerl’s work can be seen at his website.