Updated: Escaped migrant dies after being recaptured
File picture by Darrin Zammit Lupi.
A migrant who escaped from a detention centre died in hospital at 12.30 a.m. where he was taken after fainting soon after his recapture.
A magisterial inquiry is under way and the Home Affairs Ministry is also expected to set up an inquiry. The migrant showed no external signs of violence.
He was in a group of seven migrants who escaped from Safi detention centre late yesterday. Two Nigerians, including the one who was found dead, were captured. They were taken to Lyster Barracks. The other five are still at large.
A soldier was injured during the escape.
The escaped migrants had been in detention for some months and were about to be repatriated.
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Ms Emma Xerri
Apr 17th 2011, 22:47
It is unfortunate that this man died but he was breaking the law by escaping from the detention centre. Are we the Maltese people to blame for this? As far as anyone can tell he was not beaten or otherwise maltreated. He could have had an underlying medical condition that caused his demise, so please let us not jump to conclusions.
Charles Sammut
Apr 17th 2011, 22:02
Nigeria is a democratic country and they have just had elections which have been declared as being the most free and fair ever. So there is absolutely no reason for these Nigerians to be here. Not wanting to go back where they belong is highly suspicious.
Joseph Camilleri
Apr 17th 2011, 23:17
... and therefore the person who died deserves no compassion?
Mr Michael Grech
Apr 17th 2011, 20:24
Rest in Peace brother, and forgive the stupidity and insensitivity of some of my compatriots.
Ms Emma Xerri
Apr 17th 2011, 23:22
So he decided to escape from the detention centre and the fault is the stupidity and insensitivity of your compatriots?
And why do many people who support these migrants in our midst assume that they have no free will and treat them like children or worse? This is reverse discrimination at its best. Surely the implicit message is that we should 'protect so and so from such and such a country, of such and such a race, because they do not know any better, (read are not as good as us)' when in actual fact these people made the decision to leave their own countries in order to avail themselves of other countries' largesse, then decided to break the rules of said countries.
Ms D Galea
Apr 17th 2011, 18:38
. I am sure that the vast majority of the unfortunate people who seek freedom and basic human rights in Europe meant to go to mainland Europe in the first place and not here, the tiniest and most overcrowded country in the whole of the EU.
If I was an irregular immigrant who wanted s better life in mainland Europe but ended up in Malta by mistak,, I would go protesting day and night in front of the embassy door of my ex-colonial master until I get what I want .
In all probability , the poor guy who ended up dead, like the unfortunate Tina who died for a drop of fresh water (literally) was a non-Muslim and hence, a second-class citizen in Nigeria where Shariah is imposed even in the non muslim region.
Joseph Camilleri
Apr 17th 2011, 17:25
it's nice to see so much compassion being shown by people commenting here for a fellow human being who has lost his life. But hey.. he's not Maltese so it's ok then.
Mr John Azzopoardi
Apr 17th 2011, 16:55
Why aren't we allowing these people to leave if they want to leave. Why are we holding them here in Malta against their will. I just don't see how these individuals human rights of not being allowed to leave Malta is being protected. The time has come to let them leave Malta or repatriate them. ALso, does anyone ever check to see if any of these migrants have committed crimes in their countries or countries where they were living. For all we know, we know nothing about these people coming to our shores. WE could be harboring criminals for all we know.
Rachel Borg
Apr 18th 2011, 09:05
@ Mr. John Azzopardi
From what I have understood of this article, I believe that these migrats were indeed going to be repatriated but did not want to do go back to their home-land, thus the escape. But, I fully agree with your statements and your questions are justified.
Steve Demicoli
Apr 17th 2011, 15:15
How was the Maltese soldier injured, one may ask?
Mr Carmel Pule'
Apr 17th 2011, 13:52
Better to die than live without freedom
Ms Rhonda Balzan Bastow
Apr 17th 2011, 15:58
Our Lady of Sorrows in deed...
poor all of you...
Stephen Koludrovic
Apr 17th 2011, 16:00
From what I understand Nigeria is quite a free country, if fact it seems that today is election day.
Michael Vella
Apr 17th 2011, 17:35
@ Stephen Koludrovic
Firstly, a country having elections, does not mean it's citizens are free...take a look at Iran for a starter!
Secondly, i don't know the reason for this man fleeing his country, what i do know is that he died in weird circumstances which are duly being investigated by our police and interior affairs ministry, whom i have complete faith in and who i am sure will shed further light ino the last moments of this poor individual's death.
May this gentleman Rest in Peace.
Mr Peter Agius
Apr 17th 2011, 22:18
@ Stephen Koludrovic
Nigeria is a free country???
So is Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia/Herzegovina, Macedonia and Kosovo.
Stephen Koludrovic
Apr 18th 2011, 07:58
@ Peter Agius,
A\ll the countries that you mentioned do have elections, and without any counter claims of electoral frauds, so I say yes they are free countries.
Now as for Nigeria, why do some Nigerians go such a complicated, illegal, hazardous, and expensive way to reach the EU, when all they have to do is just book a ticket Lagos/London. Maybe someone might explain that to my simple mind?