SHARJAH // An 11-year-old girl has died and her mother and younger brother are seriously ill in hospital in a suspected case of poisoning.
The Iraqi girl died in the intensive-care unit at Al Qassimi Hospital on Monday, two days after being admitted. Her mother, who works at the hospital, was in a critical condition today.
Her six-year-old brother was taken to a hospital in Abu Dhabi.
The mother and her children, as well as her husband and their maid, went to hospital on Saturday complaining of severe diarrhoea and vomiting, said Dr Saqer Al Mulla, who helped treat the family.
The father and maid were given the all clear.
Members of another family living on the 11th floor of the same building were also admitted to Al Qassimi Hospital that day, showing signs of nausea, while some were vomiting, according to Al Ittihad, the sister newspaper of The National.
"The case is already with police and it's up to them to tell whether it's a food poisoning or a pesticides poisoning based on their investigations," Dr Al Mulla said.
The body of the girl was taken to the emirate's forensic laboratory to determine the cause of death, a police spokesman said. The case is being investigated by officers from Al Gharb police station.
"We truly regret that such an incident occurred," said Colonel Sultan Al Khayal, head of Media and Public Relations at Sharjah Police.
"On Monday July 1st, we discovered through inspections, that the pesticide entered the apartment of the victim's family in the form of gas being inhaled.
"We started working on a campaign to increase awareness in the public and to identify the root of the syndicate selling these illegal and lethal [chemicals]. We call on the residents to get in touch with the police for any information that can help secure the lives of the community and the children who are affected the most."
Poisoning due to fumes inhalation was also suspected in this case, but the family members were given treatment and their conditions stabilised. They were discharged on Monday.
Prosecutors in Sharjah are expecting a forensics lab report to be finalised within days.
ykakande@thenational.ae
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
QUALIFYING RESULTS
1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1 minute, 35.246 seconds.
2. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 1:35.271.
3. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 1:35.332.
4. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.497.
5. Alexander Albon, Thailand, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1:35.571.
6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.815.
7. Daniil Kvyat, Russia, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:35.963.
8. Lance Stroll, Canada, Racing Point BWT Mercedes, 1:36.046.
9. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 1:36.065.
10. Pierre Gasly, France, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:36.242.
Eliminated after second session
11. Esteban Ocon, France, Renault, 1:36.359.
12. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Renault, 1:36.406.
13. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Ferrari, 1:36.631.
14. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:38.248.
Eliminated after first session
15. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.075.
16. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.555.
17. Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas Ferrari, 1:37.863.
18. George Russell, Great Britain, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.045.
19. Pietro Fittipaldi, Brazil, Haas Ferrari, 1:38.173.
20. Nicholas Latifi, Canada, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.443.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Brief scoreline:
Al Wahda 2
Al Menhali 27', Tagliabue 79'
Al Nassr 3
Hamdallah 41', Giuliano 45 1', 62'
RACECARD
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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If you go
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The biog
Hobby: Playing piano and drawing patterns
Best book: Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
Food of choice: Sushi
Favourite colour: Orange
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
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