Social media in Egypt erupted over the death of a child during swimming training at the Ghazl El-Mahalla Club in Gharbia Governorate, amid calls to investigate the circumstances of the child's death and prosecute those responsible.

On Sunday, security agencies in the Gharbia Security Directorate received a notification from the chief of Second El-Mahalla El-Kubra Police Station reporting a complaint from residents about the death of a child in a swimming pool at the Ghazl El-Mahalla Club.

Investigating authorities immediately summoned the pool manager and coaches of Ghazl El-Mahalla Club to hear their testimonies regarding the death of 9-year-old Iyad Mohamed Abdullah during training in the pool.

Child Iyad Mohamed, victim of swimming training at Ghazl El-Mahalla

Investigations and inquiries

Furthermore, the Egyptian Public Prosecution decided to transfer the child's body to El-Mahalla General Hospital under the authority of the forensic medicine department to determine the cause of death through an autopsy, and to ascertain whether the child fainted in the pool or drowned. It also tasked the criminal investigation department with conducting the necessary inquiries into the incident.

According to the preliminary report, the death resulted from the child experiencing fatigue followed by a sudden cardiac arrest during training, while investigations are ongoing to ascertain all circumstances of the incident, pending the final report, as reported by local media.

The incident recalled the death of 12-year-old child Youssef Mohamed during his participation in the Republic Swimming Championship held at the Cairo International Stadium swimming complex last December.

At that time, the Public Prosecution heard testimonies from over 20 witnesses, who all confirmed negligence and dereliction of duty by the general referee and lifeguards, resulting in the victim's death. Examination of the full video footage seized by the Public Prosecution revealed that after the victim reached the finish line, he collapsed to the bottom of the pool without being noticed by lifeguards or referees, until his drowning was discovered during the next race, after three minutes and thirty-four seconds had passed.

Death of a swimmer with special needs

Last January, the tragedy recurred with the death of young swimmer John Maged, a champion from a famous club with special needs, after he was injured during swimming training. He succumbed after a two-week battle with death in the intensive care unit.

According to medical reports and witness testimonies, John suffered sudden fatigue and severe convulsions while in the water, leading to loss of movement and ingestion of large amounts of water.

The swimmer's mother confirmed that her son lost consciousness twice in a row during training without decisive intervention to prevent the disaster, while witnesses revealed that during the swimmer's transport to the hospital on a wheelchair, he fell from it, causing a head injury that worsened his neurological condition.

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