Who Is Massoud Hossani, Photojournalist Wounded In AUAF Attack? Pulitzer Prize Winner Cries For Help Via Twitter

Students and faculty, including renowned photographer Massoud Hossaini, were trapped inside of the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul on Wednesday following an attack there. The Afghani photojournalist tweeted that a few people including himself were stuck inside the AUAF just moments after an explosion and rounds of gunfire rocked the university.

Hossaini said the tweet may have been his last.

Almost an hour after Hossaini’s tweet for help, Kabul based freelancer Ishaq Anis took to his Twitter and reported that the Associated Press photojournalist was actually wounded inside the university following the blast.

After speaking with Hossaini’s wife, Anis announced on Twitter that the photographer’s injuries were not severe. However, he noted that Hossaini did get a little banged up from pieces of shattered glass from the impact of the explosion.

Hossaini was a 2012 Pulitzer Prize recipient after his photograph of Tarana Akbari’s reaction after surviving a suicide bombing in Kabul that killed more than 70 people, seven of which where the young girl’s family members. Nine of her relatives were injured. The Akbari family were visit Kabul in honor of the Ashura holiday when the explosion occurred. The Pulitzer called Hossaini’s captivating image — which he won the breaking news photography award for — “heartbreaking.”

Hossaini, a native of Kabul, was raised in Iran. Before taking up photography, the 34-year-old was a political activist. His introductory to photography began when he started taking pictures of Afghan refugees living in Iran.

Hossaini’s photographs have been essential in documenting and revealing the many tragedies and hardships faced throughout Afghanistan and other areas throughout the Middle East.

According to Agence France Presse, where Hossaini also works, “militants” were behind the attacks on the university. The latest attack comes after the kidnapping of two professors – one American and one Australian – at the university.