Angela Aggeler , a spokesperson for the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the U.S. State Department, agrees that information is everything.

FORBES: Most Dangerous Destinations 2006

Syed Akbaruddin, spokesman for India's Ministry of External Affairs, said consular access would be allowed after the prisoner had received medical treatment.

WSJ: Pakistani Prisoner Attacked in Indian Jail

The Italian Vice-Consulate in Bedford was closed in 2008 as part of a reorganisation of the diplomatic and consular network by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

BBC: Bedford's Italian consulate in 'partial victory'

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it was providing consular assistance to the family and was in close contact with its international partners and a wide range of other contacts in order to establish the facts of the situation.

BBC: Map of Algeria showing In Amenas

Mr. Hague said that more than a week after he was informed of the case and instructed officials to seek a probe, on Feb. 15, the deputy head of mission of the British Embassy in Beijing met officials from the consular department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to convey the message.

WSJ: U.K. Details Response to Heywood's Death

The spokesman for Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that diplomats are seeking "immediate consular access" to Mr. Ranjay at the hospital.

WSJ: Pakistani Prisoner Attacked in Indian Jail