Metro

Tests show E coli killed British tourist couple in Egypt

Published

6 years ago

September 13, 2018

The deaths of a British couple who were staying at a hotel in Egypt’s Red Sea resort of Hurghada were caused by E coli bacteria, according to test results released by Egypt’s chief prosecutor on Wednesday.

John Cooper, 69, had acute intestinal dysentery caused by E coli, and 63-year-old Susan Cooper had haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), probably because of E coli, said the Egyptian general prosecutor Nabil Sadek.

He said the couple’s bodies showed “no criminal violence”; other tests on air and water at the hotel found nothing unusual. Thomas Cook evacuated 300 guests from the hotel as a precaution.

Their daughter, Kelly Ormerod, who was with them the night before they died, has said they used perfume to mask a strange odour in the room.

The forensic report denied there had been any leakage of harmful gases into the room. However, it detailed how the “unknown smell” noticed by Ormerod was “due to a leak of insecticide used in the next room”.

The report added that the insecticide, lambda-cyhalothrin, a chemical commonly used to control pests in home gardening or in agriculture to prevent insects eating crops, was safe to use, and denied that it had anything to do with the deaths.

The report added that the postmortems showed John Cooper died from a cardiac arrest after blockages to an estimated 80% of the veins in his heart. He also tested positive for the E coli bacteria, which caused the vomiting and diarrhoea he experienced shortly before his death. The report adds that he had consumed alcohol and hash, a kind of marijuana. There is no indication in the report that either contributed to his death.

Susan Cooper is detailed in the report as suffering from Hemolytic uremic syndrome, a condition that affects blood vessels and blood, and often occurs after people are infected with E coli. The report mentions that it was suggested that she contracted E coli “as she was staying with her husband and had eaten the same food”.

The report also states that at 11.30am on the day they died, the Coopers’ daughter called doctors in the hotel to examine her parents. John Cooper was experiencing diarrhoea and vomiting and the “doctors gave him medicine they thought was appropriate, this being Ringer’s solution (rehydration salts) and a dexamethasone injection, a corticosteroid”. His condition worsened and he died in his room.

Ormerod said she had “no faith” in the Egyptian authorities’ claims, saying she wanted more transparency and would wait for the results of tests done by the UK Home Office before coming to any conclusions about how her parents died.

“Thomas Cook put a report out that there were high levels of E coli at the hotel. Whether the Egyptians have honed in on that, I have no idea.”

She expressed doubt that anyone could die so shortly after exposure to the bacteria, accusing the Egyptian authorities of seeking a quick answer in order to protect the nation’s tourism industry.

“I don’t know what tests they have done. The report I have seen, from the media, not sent to me, was very, very brief … Exactly what have they tested for?”

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Metro

Incarcerated ex-Zambian defence minister in serious health crisis

Published

9 hours ago

October 30, 2024

Isaac Dachen

There are fears for the life of former Zambian Defence Minister, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, who is currently serving a five-year prison sentence, as he is reportedly experiencing severe health issues which has prompted his legal team to seek court permission for urgent medical treatment in South Africa.

The bail application filed by State Counsel, Bonaventure Mutale, at the Economic and Financial Crimes Court (EFCC), detailed Mwamba’s condition as having visibly swollen thighs and legs, suggesting that his current medication may be ineffective.

Mwamba, who is being held at Mwembeshi Correctional Facility, according to Zambia Monitor, was sentenced on October 10 by Magistrate Standford Ngobola on charges of conflict of interest and possessing property suspected to be proceeds of crime.

The Magistrate had previously denied his bail request, citing insufficient grounds but in the affidavit filed with the High Court, Mutale recounted his October 28 visit to Mwembeshi, where he noted the facility’s limited medical resources, staffed only by a clinical officer.

Mutable said he observed swelling in Mwamba’s lower body, reportedly necessitating specialist treatment abroad.

Mwamba’s defence also maintained that his appeal has merit, citing unresolved legal questions and a lack of evidence directly linking him to the alleged crimes.

The defence also argued that Mwamba’s five-year sentence is excessive for a first-time offender.

They highlighted potential delays in the High Court’s appeal process, suggesting that Mwamba could serve a substantial part of his sentence before the appeal is heard.

The legal team also asserted that he posed no flight risk and that his release on bail would not prejudice the State.

Mwamba’s appeal also included eight grounds, contending the trial court overlooked evidence that he had declared his interest, noting the case was previously closed after investigation.

His appeal further argued the magistrate erroneously dismissed his written declaration of interest under Section 28(2) of the Anti-Corruption Act.

Metro

Biden calls Tinubu, thanks him for release of Binance executive

Published

13 hours ago

October 30, 2024

Isaac Dachen

President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, on Tuesday evening, placed a call to his Nigerian counterpart, President Bola Tinubu, where he expressed his gratitude to Nigeria for releasing the Binance Head of Financial Crimes Compliance, Tigran Gambaryan, who had been detained in Nigeria since February and later charged alongside his company, Binance, with laundering $35.4million, and tax evasion.

In the 30-minute phone call, Biden also thanked Tinubu for dropping all the charges against Gambaryan, who is an American citizen.

Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, who revealed this while briefing State House Correspondents on the 30-minute voice call between both leaders, said Biden also pledged the US will partner and collaborate with West Africa in numerous sectors especially in regards to security in West Africa.

“I have been directed by Mr President to brief you with regards to his phone call with US President Joseph Biden at about 4 pm today,” Tuggar said.

“The two leaders exchanged pleasantries and President Biden proceeded to thank President Tinubu for his partnership and for Nigeria’s partnership, and in particular, for the collaboration between the two countries with regards to…the release of one of the suspects of the cryptocurrency exchange company that we’re all aware of.

“The two leaders also discussed the issue of the permanent seats in the United Nations Security Council.

“President Biden, once again, assured that the United States is committed to seeing Africa having two permanent seats.

“He also reiterated that he does not see any reason why one of those seats should not belong to Nigeria, given its position in Africa, its stature and its importance,” he added.

He confirmed that Gambaryan has already left Nigeria after eight months of detention, and has reunited with his family.

Gambaryan, a senior Binance executive was detained in Nigeria in early 2024 during a crackdown on cryptocurrency activity by the Nigerian government.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had
filed money laundering charges against him, which Binance and Gambaryan denied complicity.

However, his extended detention drew international attention, as his health reportedly deteriorated while held at Kuje Prison with US diplomats and lawmakers pushing for his release, emphasising both his declining health and the need for transparent proceedings.

Despite repeated bail applications, he remained in custody for nearly eight months, raising diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Nigeria but last week, an Abuja Federal High Court had discharged Gambaryan from the money laundering charges.