- City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
- Dubai 04:24 05:43 12:19 15:46 18:51 20:09
(SUPPLIED)
On Sunday morning eleven Asian workers were admitted to Al Qassimi Hospital and Al Kuwaiti Hospital in Sharjah with symptoms of expected chemical poisoning.
The men were rushed to Al Qassimi hospital complaining of dizziness and vomiting. They had brought with them a sample of the pesticide chemical that was used in their next-door room, as they expected their sickness to be caused by that chemical.
Three men were admitted in Al Qassimi Hospital and the rest was rushed to Al Kuwaiti Hospital.
“We have kept them under observation for 18 hours,” says Khalid Khalfan, Deputy Technical Director of Al Qassimi Hospital referring to the three men. “We discharged them this morning.”
“It was only a mild poisoning case,” he continues. “I believe the men admitted to our hospital were the more serious cases, so I expect the other men are fine too.”
The well-being of the seven men admitted to Al Kuwaiti Hospital could not be confirmed at this point.
The chemical sample that was presented upon arrival was aluminum phosphide, confirms the hospital director. The chemical was used by the neighbouring workers, who all share an accommodation in Industrial Area 10.
“It is suspected that the chemical fumes made its way to the room of the workers and when they returned home, they fell ill. The case has been handed over to the concerned department of Sharjah Municipality, which is investigating the case,” informs Khalid.
Officials at Sharjah Municipality confirmed they were aware of the cases, but have not elaborated on investigations.
Khalid praises the keenness of the worker who brought with him the chemical sample. “It is not always easy to detect whether we are dealing with a case of food or chemical poisoning. But if the patient is aware of his situation at the time he is falling ill, it becomes easier to diagnose the symptoms.”
According to Khalid chemical poisoning is not frequent. “We see more food poisoning cases than chemical poisoning cases,” he adds.
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