Mirfield school in shock at student’s Syria trip

A Mirfield Free Grammar student is believed to have crossed the border from Turkey into war-torn Syria.
Mirfield Free Grammar, where Talha Asmal was a member of the sixth form.Mirfield Free Grammar, where Talha Asmal was a member of the sixth form.
Mirfield Free Grammar, where Talha Asmal was a member of the sixth form.

Talha Asmal, described as a “quiet and hard-working student”, took a flight to Dalaman from Manchester with friend Hassan Munshi on March 31.

Their families this week said they were in “profound shock” and police said they were very concerned for their safety.

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Headteacher Lorraine Barker said the whole school was reeling and they all hoped for a safe journey home for 17-year-old Talha.

Talha Asmal.Talha Asmal.
Talha Asmal.

“It was a huge shock that he has gone missing,” she said. “Our sympathies go out to his family.

“Like them, we are waiting for more information.”

Asmal joined MFG’s sixth form in September 2013 to study ICT and Business.

Mrs Barker added: “I cannot go into too much detail, as I did not work closely with the sixth form, but I do know he was a quiet and hard-working student.

“This came as a surprise and is so out of the blue – we are just hoping he is okay.”