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19 March 2024

Pesticide caused child's death; 7 arrested

Published
By WAM

The death of two-year Habiba Abdul Rahman in Sharjah was caused by chemical poisoning due to pesticides, authorities in emirate have confirmed citing forensic reports.
 
Aluminium phosphide, a highly dangerous pesticide, which leaked through the ventilation system from a neighboring apartment killed Habiba and was also behind the critical condition of her six-year brother Abdul Rahman who is still at Al Qassimi Hospital, representatives of the authorities revealed at a press briefing in Sharjah.

Sharjah Police have arrested seven suspected Bangladeshi believed to be involved in the death of three-year-old Egyptian girl Habiba.

The seven individuals are pest control workers who have sprayed pesticides that include banned toxic chemicals that led to malfunctioning of her heart. 

This lowered its function and recovery was not possible. Six hours after arrival at the hospital, Habiba passed away.  
 
Habiba and Abdul Rahman were rushed to hospital last week where doctors had ruled out food poisoning as the cause of the children's critical condition before they suspected chemical poisoning by the material used in the adjacent flat.

Habiba's younger brother, Abdul Rahman, also suffered severe health issues and was hospitalised, he is now recovering.     

Sharjah Police launched investigation and a team of senior police officers in Sharjah and forensic experts went to the residence of the children in order to collect evidence and speak directly to their family.

When the team arrived at the scene they detected a strong odour emanating from the apartment opposite the family’s apartment.

Police suspected a chemical had been used illegally as a pesticide. The apartment was rented by an Asian family that is currently outside the country.

After opening and inspecting the apartment 26 tablets of phosphate aluminum were located in different sections of the house.

These tablets were used to treat infestation of rodents and insects while they were away.

The police found two Bangladeshis who worked as pest control and used toxic pesticides in the apartment.

The suspects led the CID team accompanied by experts to their resident.

The apartment was turned into an unlicensed factory for mixing, selling and trading in toxic chemicals with five other people, where they were all living together. 
 
The press briefing was held by chairman of the Sharjah Media Corporation Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, assistant director of Sharjah Municipality Sheikha Rasha Al Qassimi, director of media and public relations at Sharjah Police Colonel Sultan Abdullah Al Khayal, Head of the Forensics Laboratory at Sharjah Police Colonel Dr Abdul Kader Al Ameri, director of criminal investigation at Sharjah Police Colonel Jihad Bin Sahou and director of Sharjah Media Center Usama Samrah.