Search icon

News

20th Aug 2021

5-year-old Afghan boy tragically dies falling from UK hotel window days after fleeing Kabul

Kat O'Connor

“She was screaming, ‘My son, my son.'”

A five-year-old boy from Afghanistan has tragically passed away after falling from the window of a hotel in England.

It is believed Mohammed Munib Majeedi fell 70ft at around 2.30pm on August 19.

The young boy was staying in the hotel with his mother.

His tragic death comes just days after his family fled Kabul.

According to the BBC, a witness said: “I was in my room. I heard a sound like I heard the body fall.”

“His mother was in the room with him. She was screaming, ‘My son, my son.’

“When I came here (outside) I saw the ambulance and police here,” they added.

The Home Office has since released a statement, saying: “We are extremely saddened by the tragic death of a child at a hotel in Sheffield.

“The police are providing support to the family while the investigation continues and we cannot comment further at this time.”

South Yorkshire Police added: “We can confirm that the five-year-old boy who sadly lost his life is from Afghanistan.”

The OYO Metropolitan Hotel, located in Sheffield, has been criticised in the past about their dangerous windows.

According to The Sun, parents had previously complained about how wide the windows opened, especially in rooms located on top floors of the hotel.

Police are not treating the death of five-year-old Mohammed as suspicious, but they have launched an investigation into his passing.

Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, told the BBC: “This a terrible tragedy and our thoughts are with the family who have gone through so much trauma and suffering to reach the UK.

“It is vital the Home Office carry out an urgent investigation into what has happened so steps can be taken to quickly learn lessons.

“We don’t know the details of the incident but it is imperative that families who come from Afghanistan are given all the support they need and housed in appropriate accommodation. They are vulnerable and often very traumatised.”

Topics:

Afghanistan