A family has paid tribute to a father and son from Cardiff who died in a suspected poisoning in Bangladesh.

Rafiqul Islam, 51, and his son Mahiqul, 16, were found unconscious alongside other members of their family in a flat on Tuesday afternoon.

They both died on their way to hospital, while Mr Islam’s wife Husnara, 45, and their two other children, Samira, 20, and Sadiqul, 24, were treated.

Husnara and Samira remain in a critical condition in intensive care, while Sadiqul is said to be doing well.

The family, from Cardiff, were on a two-month holiday visiting relatives and were renting the flat in the city of Sylhet.

Police initially suspected food poisoning, but now think it may have been deliberate.

Rafiqul’s brother-in-law, Abdul Mumin Khan, told Sky News he can’t believe what has happened: “When we found the news, I am crying, I console myself. Everyone is sad, everyone is crying.

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“I can’t sleep at night. He [Rafiqul] is a very good person. I can’t believe he is dead. He is my very best friend…he was.”

Asked whether there were any grievances held against the family, Mr Khan said there were none.

“I have no idea [why] anybody would kill the family,” he said.

“There is not any problem with the family in Bangladesh. Everyone is happy with this guy [Rafiqul]. This guy is a very, very friendly guy and nobody had any problem, any argument or fighting – nothing. I lost my friend. He is my brother-in-law but he is good friend as well.

“Anytime I call him for any help, any reason, he straight away comes to my house. He was a very friendly person. A good friend. I’ve lost my good friend.”

‘We believe this may have been a case of poisoning’

Farid Uddin, a superintendent at Bangladesh Police, said: “After discussing the overall situation with the doctors and inspecting the scene, we believe this may have been a case of poisoning.

“The other people in the building are close relatives of the victims. We questioned them.

“At the moment, we believe they fell asleep after dinner last night. This must be investigated further. How were they poisoned? How did they die? We will be able to confirm after an investigation.”

Family members are understood to have flown out to Bangladesh.

Tributes have been paid to Mr Islam back in Cardiff.

Mohammed Haroon, general secretary of the Bangladesh Association Cardiff, used to work with him.

Mr Islam was a member of the local football and badminton teams, he said, adding: “He was a very nice person, very helpful person who was at the mosque all the time and constantly working with the community.”

Muhibur Islam, of the Jalalia Mosque and Islamic education centre, said Mr Islam was “a well-loved and well-respected member of the community”.

“It’s been a complete shock, it still hasn’t sunk in for everyone,” he added.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are providing consular assistance to a British family following an incident in Bangladesh and are in contact with the local authorities.”

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