Tuesday December 3, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) — A Somali family of six died tragically in their Cairo apartment over the weekend due to a gas leak, authorities confirmed. The discovery of their lifeless bodies in the Madinet Nasr district has sparked grief and calls for heightened safety awareness.
The victims included a father, his adult son and daughter, the daughter’s husband, and two young children. The family had gathered in Cairo after travelling from the UK, Turkey, and Somalia, drawn together by the father’s need for medical treatment.
Their remains were found after relatives, unable to reach them by phone or internet, forced their way into the apartment on Friday. Inside, they discovered an open gas cylinder, which police and medical experts have since identified as the source of the fatal leak.
“This was supposed to be a time of healing and togetherness,” said Hassan Hirsi Hussein, a relative. “Instead, we were met with devastation.”
Hassan recounted the last contact with the family on Thursday evening. When communication failed the following day, relatives rushed to the apartment, only to be confronted with an unimaginable scene.
“We knocked and got no response. When we broke the door open, we found them—lifeless,” he said, describing the moment as “utterly devastating.”
The family’s remains were transported to a government hospital in Cairo, where medical experts confirmed that gas inhalation caused their deaths. Preliminary investigations revealed that a faulty gas cylinder was to blame.
“This tragedy underscores the dangers of household gas leaks,” said Hassan. “It’s a silent killer that takes lives without warning.”
The Somali Embassy in Cairo has been actively assisting the family. Consul Ismail Abdi Hussein called the incident a “heartbreaking tragedy” and pledged continued support for the bereaved relatives.
“We are coordinating with Egyptian authorities to ensure the family receives answers and that the bodies are released for burial as soon as possible,” the consul said.
The embassy has also urged the Somali community in Egypt to remain vigilant about household safety, emphasizing the importance of regular inspections and maintenance of gas appliances.
The family’s remains are expected to be released in the coming days, allowing relatives to proceed with burial arrangements. For now, the Somali community is left to grieve a loss that feels both personal and universal—a poignant reminder of life’s fragility.