Working in a war zone is inherently dangerous, especially when you’re trying to get close to the action and get images of the conflict out to the world, and that has tragically claimed the lives of two people in Libya. Photojournalist and Oscar nominated documentary filmmaker Tim Hetherington, who co-directed the acclaimed Restrepo, died yesterday from injuries sustained after he was caught in mortar fire on Tripoli Street in the besieged Libyan town of Misrata. ? ?He was 41.
Getty photographer Chris Hondros was among the same group that came under fire. He was initially listed in critical condition after sustaining brain injuries, but has since died as well. The two men were traveling on the main thoroughfare leading through the center of Misrata when they came under fire from Muammar Gaddafi’s forces, which have been attacking the rebel-held town for seven weeks.
Hetherington made Restrepo alongside Sebastian Junger, with the duo dug in with the Second Platoon in one of Afghanistan’s most strategically crucial valleys reveals. It was a truly eye-opening insight into the realties of the conflict, from the back breaking labour and deadly firefights, to the camaraderie are stretches of sheer boredom, as the soldiers painfully pushed back the Taliban.