RIP: Photojournalist Jeroen Oerlemans Killed by ISIS Sniper in Libya
“I’m devastated,” wrote World Press Photo Managing Director Lars Boering yesterday upon hearing that talented Dutch photojournalist Jeroen Oerlemans had been killed in Libya. “Again we lose one of the best and we also lose a very nice human being.”
These words, posted to social media, echo the sentiment of every photographer and photojournalist. Again we lose one of the best…
Oerlemans was shot in the chest by a sniper while covering a government-backed offensive against ISIS in the city of Sirte, 280 miles east of Tripoli. Since the news broke, hundreds of colleagues, admirers, and friends have taken to social media to share condolences and remember the photojournalist’s work.
Very upset to learn that the photographer Jeroen Oerlemans was killed in Libya. A wonderful person, too briefly acquainted. Remember him.
— Ben Taub (@bentaub91) October 2, 2016
He survived kidnapping (w/ Cantlie) by Absi's group, an ISIS pre-curser west of Aleppo, in 2012. Now killed by ISIS in Libya. So sad. RIP. https://t.co/SHncczsDEo
— Ben Taub (@bentaub91) October 2, 2016
Tears and despair. We lost Jeroen Oerlemans yesterday by sniper fire while I was working with him. My heart is with his family
— joanie de rijke (@joaniederijke) October 3, 2016
Devastated to learn Jeroen Oerlemans was killed in Libya https://t.co/gGiFMWg7Wt Our thoughts are with his family and friends. #pressfreedom
— World Press Photo (@WorldPressPhoto) October 3, 2016
Freelance photojournalist Jeroen Oerlemans killed by ISIS sniper in Libya. Died telling the story. RIP pic.twitter.com/AQ5ZACXF8F
— Joel Franco (@OfficialJoelF) October 3, 2016
Heartbreaking news about the death of photographer Jeroen Oerlemans, killed in Libya. Only the best. RIP Jeroen. https://t.co/8Ic42EhWrA
— Liz Sly (@LizSly) October 2, 2016
Jeroen Oerlemans: Rest in Peace
Your photographs of #Sirte #Libya and other places will live on forever. Condolences to all who loved him. pic.twitter.com/4VHISL5Dd7— Eric Strating (@Eric_Strating) October 2, 2016
Condoleances to the family of photojournalist Jeroen Oerlemans. Sad day for photojournalism.#JeroenOerlemans
— Andreja Restek (@andrejarestek) October 2, 2016
Rest in peace Jeroen Oerlemans.. thank you for shining your light on the misery of others ??✨ #Sirte
via @janeikelboom https://t.co/Y8FRnre1IN
— YvettevEechoud (@YvettevEechoud) October 2, 2016
Will miss a great man, good friend Jeroen Oerlemans #Netherlands #Libya
— Yvonne ايفون Snitjer (@YvonneSnitjer) October 2, 2016
So so horrible and sad to hear about Jeroen Oerlemans, such a talented photographer but above all an amazing human being, rip jeroen
— Joël van Houdt (@joelvanhoudt) October 2, 2016
The 45-year-old photojournalist was kidnapped and wounded by ISIS in Syria in 2012 with friend and colleague John Cantlie, but was released a week later. Despite this experience, Oerlemans didn’t skip a beat. A seasoned photojournalist, he covered wars in Afghanistan, Syria, and Libya, and recently photographed the plight of migrants attempting to reach Europe.
“Oerlemans is a journalist who kept going where others stopped. Driven to put the news into pictures in the world’s hotspots,” said Dutch foreign minister Bert Koenders in a statement. “It is profoundly sad that he has now paid the ultimate price for this.”
Oerlemans is survived by his wife and three small children. He was scheduled to return home today.
Image credits: Photograph of Sirte, Libya by the European Commission DG ECHO.
