Latest news with #KaoutarNaqqad
USA Today
29-03-2025
- Health
- USA Today
3 US tourists reportedly died from carbon monoxide poisoning at Belizean luxury resort
3 US tourists reportedly died from carbon monoxide poisoning at Belizean luxury resort The three women were all reportedly exposed to carbon monoxide before their deaths, with each registering carbon monoxide saturation levels of around 60%. Show Caption Hide Caption Three Massachusetts women found dead at Belize resort Three tourists from Massachusetts were found dead at a beach resort in Belize under mysterious circumstances. unbranded - Newsworthy Three U.S. tourists who were found dead in a luxury resort in Belize reportedly died from carbon monoxide poisoning. The three Revere, Massachusetts women — Kaoutar Naqqad, 23; Imane Mallah, 24; and Wafae El-Arar, 26 — were found dead inside their room at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro on Feb. 22, according to WCVB and CBS News. Gian Cho, executive director of the Belize National Forensic Science Service, confirmed in a toxicology report obtained by the outlets that the three women died of acute pulmonary edema, which was triggered by excessive carbon monoxide exposure. The tourists were all exposed to carbon monoxide before their deaths, with each registering carbon monoxide saturation levels of around 60%, according to the toxicology report reviewed by CBS News. A fatal level is 40%. Police believe the women may have been exposed to the gas from a faulty heater in their hotel room, WCVB reported. "Their bodies exhibited no signs of injuries," Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams said, per the Boston, Massachusetts-based TV station. "Police also saw inside their room what appeared to be vomiting beside each female." USA TODAY contacted the Belize National Forensic Science Service and Belizean police on Thursday but has not received a response. Women's families urged Belizean authorities to share more information As a result of the findings, Williams also said authorities have conducted a second test of the hotel room for carbon monoxide after initial testing turned up negative, CBS News reported. He said they are still awaiting the final results. "We are deeply alarmed by news reports which suggest that carbon monoxide levels in the hotel could have been at dangerously high levels and that the resort has now suddenly closed without public explanation," the three women's families said in a joint statement earlier this week shared with NBC Boston. "We believe the families of all guests – past and future – deserve a clear explanation for this action." "We respectfully urge the resort's management and Belizean authorities to share any information they have immediately, so that no other family has to endure the unimaginable pain we must now bear. Our loved ones deserve transparency and all who visit Belize, especially the resort, deserve to know they are safe," it continued. Gummies and alcohol found in the three women's hotel room Last month, Belize police said they only found alcohol and "gummies" in the hotel room where the women were discovered but WCVB said the toxicology report did not detect drugs in their systems. Williams did not clarify if the gummies contained THC. "The police did a thorough search of the scene, along with the pathologists ... There was nothing of substance that could have been found other than alcohol and some gummies," Williams said at the time, per Channel5Belize and 7NewsBelize. 'We're not saying at this time that the gummies cause death, but we're looking at every possibility.' The police commissioner added that investigators were looking into whether the gummies were bought locally or if the women brought them on the trip. Security footage showed the women entering their room on Thursday, but no video was captured of them leaving or anyone going inside before they were discovered on Saturday, according to local reports, citing Belize police. "Based on what the pathologist said when he visited on Saturday evening is that they could have been dead 20 hours prior, so that would take us back to Friday or Thursday that they eventually died," Williams said. Revere mayor says Belizean authorities lack transparency The city of Revere, located about seven miles outside of Boston, continues to mourn the three women, with Mayor Patrick M. Keefe Jr. releasing a statement upon their deaths. "I was deeply saddened to learn of the deaths of Kaoutar Naqqad, Imane Mallah, and Wafae El-Arar, three young women who were valued members of the Revere community," Keefe said. "On behalf of the entire City of Revere, I extend my condolences to their families and loved ones during this time of unimaginable loss." The mayor also questioned the three women's deaths and the Belizean authorities' pending investigation. "The information we have received thus far from the Belizean authorities leaves our grieving community with too many questions: These are daughters, friends, and contributors to our City, and I have heard widespread concern from the families and community members about the lack of transparency in this investigation, and the media narrative painted by Belizean authorities," Keefe said. An odorless gas blamed for deaths: How to stay safe Keefe also noted that the Department of State issued a Level 2 "Exercise Increased Caution" travel advisory for the country in December due to increased crime risks, adding that state officials will "exhaust all avenues, both domestic and abroad, to ensure proper and fair analysis of this case." The families of Kaoutar, Wafae, and Imane have created GoFundMe pages to raise money for funerals and other expenses related to their deaths, which have raised more than $90,000 in total. 'The City of Revere extends our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the three local women who tragically and unexpectedly passed away in Belize,' a Facebook post from the city said.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Carbon monoxide killed 3 American tourists found unconscious in Belize
March 27 (UPI) -- The Belize National Forensics Science Service executive director, Gian Cho, said Thursday that carbon monoxide poisoning killed three American women found dead while at a vacation resort there in February. He commented after a toxicology report from the service found cause of death was "fatal exposure to carbon monoxide poisoning." Kaoutar Naqqad, Imane Mallah and Wafae El-Arar, all in their 20s and from Massachusetts, were found unconscious in their Royal Kahal Beach Resort rooms. In a joint statement, their families said, "While we remain shattered by the loss of these three bright lights in our world, we are incredibly heartened by the results of this investigation and grateful to those who completed it in a thorough and independent manner." Belize police initially suggested drugs were to blame for the deaths. They added, "We have said since the beginning of this investigation that their deaths were suspicious and raised concerns about initial reports in the news media. While today's official finding puts to rest those initial reports, we hope this will give authorities in law enforcement pause before they make similar suggestions during future investigations." Alcohol and gummies were in the room when the women were found, but test results showed no drugs in their bodies. The families said in their joint statement, "Our families ask for continued prayers, patience and privacy as we navigate this unimaginable loss. May their beautiful souls rest in eternal peace. We will forever love and miss you, Kaoutar, Imane and Wafae." The Belize toxicology report found the women had carbon monoxide carboxyhemoglobin levels of more than 60%. A fatal level is 40%. The families are still waiting for findings of an independent and separate review by Massachusetts state authorities.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Young American tourists' cause of death revealed after they were found 'motionless' at beach resort
Belize officials on Wednesday revealed the cause of death for three Massachusetts women who were found dead in their resort hotel room last month. Authorities previously identified the women as Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Imane Mallah, 24, and Wafae El-Arar, 26, after they were found dead on Feb. 22 at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro. Gian Cho, executive director of the National Forensics and Science Services (NFSS), told local outlet Love FM that test results "revealed that the three victims all had fatal exposure to carbon monoxide." "So carbon monoxide … has been revealed as the contributing or the underlying exposure that led to the acute pulmonary edema, which was the final cause of death," Cho said. "We did a very complete and comprehensive toxicology screening on the blood and liver tissues from these victims so that we can give the family a conclusive answer and closure as to what contributed to their death." Young American Tourists Found Dead At Caribbean Resort; Authorities Investigating Cho added that officials tested for drugs in their systems, as well as "hundreds of different possible chemicals or poisons that they may have been exposed to." Read On The Fox News App "Again … there were no illicit drugs found in toxicology results. The only thing that was at high or significant levels were the carbon monoxide levels," he told Love FM. Popular Spring Break Activity Lands American Tourist In Hospital: 'Felt Like I Was In A Car Accident' Chester Williams, police commissioner, told Love FM that after the Americans' bodies were found in their room, officials tested the room for carbon monoxide, and the test came back negative. "Nonetheless, following information we have gotten through the U.S. Embassy…supported by persons who were at the room before, indicating that they had used their own carbon monoxide tester and detected carbon monoxide in one of the rooms," Williams said. He suggested that the hotel rooms have heaters that are powered by gas, so carbon monoxide might only be detected when the heaters are turned on for several hours and possibly undetectable when they are turned off for an extended period of time. Florida Spring Break Crowd Kicked Off Beach Amid State's Crackdown On Partiers Hotel staff apparently attempted to contact the group the Friday before they were found. Resort employees used a master key to enter the room Saturday morning, where the women were found "motionless," according to The Associated Press. Fox News Digital reached out to the resort. The victims' families shared a joint statement on social media, saying the three women were "each a beloved light in the world lost too soon." Photos: Spring Breakers Flock To Florida Beaches For Sun And Sand "Our families and all who loved these women are shattered, struggling to comprehend this profound and sudden loss," their families said. "With this statement, our families hope to honor Kaoutar, Imane and Wafae by telling the world about the girls we knew and loved." They went on to describe Mallah as a "radiant spirit, and a beacon of kindness." "She embraced life wholeheartedly, cherishing every soul that shared the journey with her," the statement reads. Naqqad's "kindness and warmth touched everyone she met." "She was compassionate, caring, and deeply devoted to those she loved. Her heart was full of generosity, always putting others before herself and offering a listening ear, a comforting word, and unwavering support," the statement says. El-Arar "was full of life, dreams, and unwavering faith." "Her name, meaning faithfulness and loyalty, was a true reflection of who she was — honest, kind, and deeply devoted to the people she loved. Wafaewas a bright mind with a passion for women's health," her family article source: Young American tourists' cause of death revealed after they were found 'motionless' at beach resort
Express Tribune
27-03-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Families react as cause of Belize hotel deaths confirmed
The families of Kaoutar Naqqad (23), Imane Mallah (24), and Wafae El-Arar (26) have issued a statement following the confirmation that the three American women died of carbon monoxide poisoning during a vacation in Belize last month. The women were found unresponsive in their hotel room at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro on February 22. On March 26, Belizean authorities confirmed that toxic levels of carbon monoxide were responsible for their deaths, with each woman's carboxyhemoglobin levels exceeding 60%—far above the safe threshold. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas produced by fuel-burning appliances. It can be lethal in enclosed spaces, and early tests initially failed to detect it in the hotel room. However, a second test, conducted after continued pressure from the families and media, confirmed its presence. Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams acknowledged earlier findings had been inconclusive and said final test results were still pending. In a prior press conference on February 24, Williams had mentioned the presence of alcohol and THC-infused gummies at the scene, but no substances were found in the victims' bodies, according to National Forensic Science Service director Gian Cho. In a joint statement released on Wednesday, the families said they were 'shattered by the loss of these three bright lights' and expressed gratitude for the 'thorough and independent' investigation. They emphasized the need for careful, respectful handling of such tragedies by law enforcement and media moving forward. 'While today's official finding puts to rest those initial reports, we hope this will give authorities in law enforcement pause before they make similar suggestions during future investigations,' the families said. 'Survivors such as our families deserve their best, honest work. We received it today but needed it throughout this investigative process.' The families are also awaiting results from a separate independent review by Massachusetts authorities and have urged Belizean officials to continue investigating to prevent future harm. They extended thanks to local and international media outlets, U.S. and Belizean officials, and the broader community for continued support. 'May their beautiful souls rest in eternal peace. We will forever love and miss you, Kaoutar, Imane, and Wafae,' the statement concluded. 'Our families ask for continued prayers, patience, and privacy as we navigate this unimaginable loss.'
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Belize officials say 3 American women died of carbon monoxide poisoning
Authorities in Belize said Wednesday that three American women who were found dead last month while on vacation in the country died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning. The three women from Massachusetts, 23-year-old Kaoutar Naqqad, 24-year-old Imane Mallah and 26-year-old Wafae El-Arar, were found unconscious in their hotel room at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in February. Investigators in Belize said last month that the women had a build-up of fluids in their lungs but were still awaiting final test results for the cause of death. Gian Cho, executive director of the National Forensics Science Service, said Wednesday that all three women had carboxyhemoglobin levels higher than 60%. Carboxyhemoglobin levels are typically lower than 2% in nonsmokers and lower than 5% in smokers. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas and is produced any time a fossil fuel is burned. Accidental poisoning can occur when home appliances like furnaces, kerosene heaters, stoves, lanterns and generators produce fumes that people breathe in. Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams said that as a result of the findings, authorities have conducted a second test of the hotel room for carbon monoxide poisoning after initial testing showed no signs. Williams said they are still awaiting the final test results. Authorities also found and tested the alcohol and gummies found in the room. THC was found in one of the items, but no illicit substances were found in the bodies of the three women, Cho said. Trump's VA cuts could threaten mental health care for countless veterans. Waltz, Hegseth still facing major scrutiny for leaked Yemen group chat Trump announces 25% tariffs on all foreign-made cars
