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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Antony Thrower & Shashana Brown

Bodies falling out of coffins as pallbearers trip over in 'horrifying' flooded cemetery

Pallbearers carrying coffins in a flooded cemetery have twice slipped in the muddy conditions, sending dead bodies crashing to the ground.

The Muslim section at Bedminster Down Cemetery in Bristol sits at the bottom of a hall, causing water-logging problems with the turf.

Farooq Siddique, chair of the Muslim Burial Working Group committee, says the issues have been ongoing for decades.

As a result, on at least two occasions the bodies of those set to be buried have fallen from coffins in awful scenes for friends and families.

Water is pumped from an open grave at the cemetery (Abdul Malik)
The ground is often sodden and slippery in the wet conditions (Abdul Malik)

Visitors have also slipped in the winter months, leading to calls for the area to be developed, Bristol Live reported.

Mr Siddique said: “This is horrifying to even contemplate.

“It is devastating to witness. For the families, it is traumatising.”

Abdul Malik, chair of Easton Jamia Masjid Mosque, added: "The situation is just totally unacceptable, especially at times when it is raining.

“Too often families burying their loved ones have witnessed them being lowered into a waterlogged grave with pumps working to empty it at the last minute during burial.”

Abdul Malik, chair of Easton Jamia Masjid Mosque, described the situation as 'totally unacceptable' (PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)

“Bristol is home to people of many languages and religions and as a basic requirement it’s really important that people who pass away have a dignified burial according to the wishes of their family and religious teachings.”

A new planning application was recently submitted by Bristol City Council to expand the cemetery which could include the development of drainage infrastructure with the addition of parking and footpaths.

Mr Siddique added: “With the funding secured and ring-fenced, last year, a drainage system was finally installed.”

Bishopsworth councillor Richard Eddy, who backs the council's expansion plans, said: “It is essential that the present planning application seeks to cater to the requirements of all our citizens, including Muslim Bristolians.

You can’t get away from the simple geographical fact that South Bristol Crem is on a hill leading down to South Liberty Lane, Ashton. But I hope everything feasibly possible is done in the present bid to address the issues of flooding which has afflicted the Muslim burial ground.”

A spokesman for the council added: “It’s important as our city grows, we respond to future burial needs.

“Whilst a number of council-owned cemeteries cannot be expanded further, South Bristol Cemetery does have the space to expand to offer new burial plots.

"The application submitted for planning approval includes a robust set of groundwater and ecological assessments and contains plans for new access and parking - plus the creation of a new wetland pond habitat; new hedgerows and tree planting."

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