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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
John Glover & Ryan Merrifield & Milica Cosic

British boy, 4, drowns on family holiday in Mauritius as dad pays touching tribute

A four-year-old British boy has drowned in a hotel swimming pool while on a family holiday in Mauritius.

Ozair Ali was taken to hospital from the Lux Hotel in Belle Mare after the incident by emergency services, report Scottish Daily Express.

The family were in the Flacq region - a district situated in the east of the island - when the incident happened.

Despite attempts by doctors to save the four-year-old, they were unable to revive him following the incident.

The child passed away on Tuesday, June 28 at the Dr Bruno Cheong Hospital.

The Mauritius Police Force said in a statement: “He was swimming in the hotel’s pool in company of his family members, when at about [2pm] his father noticed that he was having difficulty breathing. He was immediately removed to a safe place.

“All the emergency agencies attended within good [time]. The cause of death was, after an autopsy, certified to be ‘asphyxia, due to drowning’.”

The family flew the boy's body back home to Scotland, after being supported to do so by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), a spokesman has said.

The boy’s father wrote on social media: “He was the sweetest, sweetest boy in the world, with the right dose of cheekiness and love. He would instantly light up a room and drew everyone towards him with his loving personality.

“In his short 4 and a half years, he has given us so many memories which we will cherish everyday and I will take the sorrow of his departure to my grave. Your baba waits for the day we are reunited.”

The FCDO spokesman added: “We are supporting the family of a British child who died in Mauritius. Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.”

The family of four-year-old Ozair Ali were supported in flying his body back home (Getty Images/EyeEm)

The incident follows after a few days earlier, the Hotel was engulfed in flames.

A note from the resort’s management read: “There has been a major fire at Lux Belle Mare.

“Thankfully, all guests and team members are safe. Sadly, the resort will be closed until further notice. Right now, the wellbeing and safety of all are our priorities.

“Guests who have booked our resort, we’ll get in touch with you shortly.”

Mauritius Police said the outbreak of the blaze was currently under investigation.

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