A Scots toddler has died after drowning in a swimming pool while on holiday with his family in Mauritius. Four-year-old Ozair Ali began having difficulty breathing while in the Lux Hotel's swimming pool in Belle Mare.
His father noticed and emergency services raced to the scene and the child was rushed to the Dr Bruno Cheong Hospital. However, despite the best efforts of medics, he died there on Tuesday, June 28, the Scottish Daily Express reports.
Ozair's burial took place at Cumbernauld cemetery but his funeral was held at Glasgow Central Mosque on Friday, July 1.
In a tribute on social media, his father wrote: 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 four-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 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’.”
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said the family were being supported after they flew his body home to Scotland.
They added: “We are supporting the family of a British child who died in Mauritius. Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.”
It also emerged a few days after the incident 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 is currently under investigation.
