Police were on Sunday investigating the sudden death of a 40-year-old woman at an immigration detention centre in the United Kingdom.
Unconfirmed reports said the woman had been complaining of chest pains for some time, but had only been offered paracetamol. Reports also has it that she had been crying for help before she died.
The female detainee’s death will put conditions at the UK’s largest centre for women facing deportation under renewed scrutiny. Yarl’s Wood has been mired in controversy since it opened in 2001, following hunger strikes by detainees, a suicide and riots.
A home office spokesperson said: "Sadly, we can confirm the death of a female detainee at Yarl's Wood on 30 March.
"It would not be appropriate to comment further as the death is subject to a police investigation. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has been informed in line with standard procedure."
A spokesperson for Serco, which runs the detention centre, said: "A 40-year old female resident at Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre collapsed on Sunday morning soon after getting up. She was immediately tended by medical staff from the centre and by paramedics from the NHS East of England Ambulance Service, but did not regain consciousness and sadly died soon after.
"Bedfordshire police and officials from the Coroner's Office attended the centre to examine the scene and begin an investigation. Serco is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities in their enquiries into this tragic event. The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time. Next of kin have been informed."
My thoughts
This is absolutely very sad. There is serious concern about the standard of medical care offered at detention centres, despite home office assurances that it is up to NHS standards.
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