JEDDAH: The parents of three children in Madinah who died in an apparent accidental insecticide poisoning say the bodies of their children still linger at the medical examiner’s office.
“When I consulted the hospital they said they would not give me the bodies unless I provide an official paper from the police,” the father, Khaled Hussein, told Arab News. “And the police are not giving me the paper.”
The three children died in August, reportedly after the family used an industrial insecticide — made for outdoor use — inside their apartment, fatally poisoning their children. Hussein says his wife is hysterical that the children have not yet been buried. Islamic customs include burying the dead as soon as possible, and delays are perceived to be disrespectful to the departed. “I am asking for nothing but to bury my kids,” said Hussein. “Is that too much to ask for?”
Maj. Ali Mubarak Al-Badrani of the local Police Department, said the parents couldn’t receive their papers from police unless they have a report regarding the case of the third child. “We are still waiting for a report about the case of the third child,” said Al-Birzani, adding that the case has been transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Local Arabic language reports indicate that the family had used a highly potent industrial agricultural insecticide that was freely purchased at a agricultural supply outlet. One unconfirmed report indicated that not only are such pesticides openly available, but that vendors have been known to provide instructions on use in domestic dwellings, which is extremely dangerous.
Al-Madinah newspaper reported yesterday that an Indian expatriate allegedly used a similar insecticide in his apartment in Jeddah’s Rehab district before leaving on vacation in order to rid his apartment of insects while he was away.
According to the report, the chemical fumes spread to adjoining flats and officials had to evacuate six families. Two children — a seven-year-old girl and a 18-month-old boy — died after being taken to an emergency room on Friday. The man accused of using the pesticide is still on vacation.
Reports of deaths and illnesses caused by the use of insecticides are common in the local press.
In August 2007, two Egyptian girls, 4 and 6, died in Jeddah after their father fumigated their bedroom with an insecticide. The family went out for dinner, but fell ill after returning home.
In October 2007, a Filipino woman died and her sister-in-law was hospitalized after fumigating their apartment with a pesticide. The cause of death was a fatal inhalation of aluminum phosphate.
