The family of a security guard who died on duty at the Lusail stadium at the World Cup in Qatar are seeking answers and hoping for help in returning the 24-year-old’s body to his native Kenya.
John Njau Kibue suffered a serious fall on Dec. 10, tournament organizers, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, said in a statement.
They added that medical teams immediately attended the scene and provided emergency treatment before he was transferred to Hamad hospital’s intensive care unit by ambulance.
“We regret to announce that, despite the efforts of the medical team, he unfortunately died in hospital on Tuesday, December 13th, after spending three days in the intensive care unit,” the statement reads.
“His relatives have been informed. We send our sincere condolences to family, colleagues and friends at this difficult time.”
Kibue’s family in Kenya are hoping to receive more than just condolences as they continue to wait for the company he worked for to explain what really happened.
“For us as a family, we definitely want some answers. And if possible, we want them to facilitate the return of the body,” Samuel Njau, John’s uncle, told Reuters, referring to the Qatari government and the company that Kibue owns. worked.
That company, Al Sraiya Security Services, has not officially communicated with the family or explained what happened, Njau said.
“It has been so heartbreaking and devastating for us as a family,” added Njau.
Kibue, 24, had been working in Qatar for just over a year in hopes of earning enough money to help his family.
His family shared photos of a smiling Argentina fan Kibue posing for photos at the Argentina-Netherlands match. He crashed and died after that game, according to his uncle.
Qatar has long been a popular destination for Kenyan migrant workers.
Last year, Malcolm Bidali, a Kenyan guard in Qatar who wrote about poor working conditions there, was arrested and accused of spreading misinformation before being released.
World Cup organizers said they were investigating the circumstances that led to Kibue’s crash “on an urgent basis” and would provide further information pending the outcome of the investigation.
“We will also ensure that your family receives all debts and amounts owed,” the statement added.
Last week, Qatar launched a work safety investigation into the death of a Filipino following reports that the man died while working at a training venue during the World Cup.
Journalists Khalid al-Misslam, Roger Pearce and Grant Wahl also died while covering the World Cup, the first to be held in the Middle East.
The World Cup final will be played at the Lusail stadium on Sunday (18), with Argentina facing the winners of the semifinal between France and Morocco, played this Wednesday (14).
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