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
Three tips from La Perle's performers
1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.
2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.
3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Brief scores:
Toss: Kerala Knights, opted to fielf
Pakhtoons 109-5 (10 ov)
Fletcher 32; Lamichhane 3-17
Kerala Knights 110-2 (7.5 ov)
Morgan 46 not out, Stirling 40
RESULTS
2.15pm Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner Shawall, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Majed Al Jahouri (trainer)
2.45pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Anna Bella Aa, Fabrice Veron, Abdelkhir Adam
3.15pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner AF Thayer, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
3.45pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner Taajer, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
4.15pm The Ruler of Sharjah Cup – Prestige (PA) Dh250,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner Jawaal, Jim Crowley, Majed Al Jahouri
4.45pm Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner Maqaadeer, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
MATCH INFO
Bayern Munich 2 Borussia Monchengladbach 1
Bayern: Zirkzee (26'), Goretzka (86')
Gladbach: Pavard (37' og)
Man of the Match: Breel Embolo (Borussia Monchengladbach)
THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm
Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Top speed: 250kph
Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: Dh146,999
