– It’s heavy, really heavy.
Over the years, Elisabet Rundqvist has helped Bashir with, among other things, official papers and navigating Swedish society. He was in his 25s and loved by many, had a large circle of friends and close contact with his family in Afghanistan – which he left about eight years ago.
Last week he died in the elevator accident in Sundbyberg.
– I feel for him in a similar way that you feel for your children. Although I have not been part of his upbringing, but the period from youth to adulthood, says Elisabet Rundqvist to TV4 Nyheterna.
“Proud of his job”
Bashir received a permanent residence permit in Sweden early on. When he became certified as a welder, it quickly led to a job in the construction industry.
– He liked to work and was proud of his job. Sometimes he sent pictures of him welding. In that way, he was a fairly ordinary guy because he was positive, happy and always very grateful, says Elisabet Rundqvist.
Bashir had just submitted his application for Swedish citizenship and this summer he traveled to Afghanistan to marry a woman from his home village – with whom he had been in contact over the years. The goal now was to get her to Sweden.
– Marrying his wife, that was his most important goal.
“All the pieces were in place”
Bashir knew that he had to work and secure an orderly income in order to realize the dream of a marriage here in Sweden. But the hope of being able to reunite with his great love spurred him on.
– It feels awful to be completely open. The shock of the whole accident, that he would have to die this way. It feels tragic in several ways, says Elisabet Rundqvist.
– It was now that he began to live. He had come this far and all the pieces were in place.
Took a week to identify
His funeral is now being planned instead. His relatives are still waiting for information about how and when it can happen.
– The family’s greatest wish is for the body to return to Afghanistan. That they may bury him there. And that his little brother, mother and wife can go to the grave and feel that he is there with them, she says
Elisabet Rundqvist was the one who reported Bashir missing after the elevator collapse. Only now, a week later, could the police confirm that Bashir was one of the dead.
After that, the family in Afghanistan approved that TV4 Nyheterna publish his name and picture.