An Afghan refugee, 5, who fell to his death from a hotel window in Sheffield, England, has been pictured for the first time.
Mohammed Monib Majeedi had only arrived in the UK with his mum, dad and siblings around three weeks ago after the family fled the Taliban and he was staying in a hotel being used to house hero Afghans and their families who worked alongside the British Army and authorities, but escaped to the UK as the Taliban swept across their country.
It’s feared the little boy fell as he looked out of the window of the family’s hotel room at 2:30pm on Wednesday, August 18.
His terrified mother shouted “my boy” and “save my son please” as he plunged 70ft from the ninth floor of the OYO Metropolitan Hotel and landed in the car park below.
An Afghan witness staying in the hotel said Mohammed’s father had worked in the British Embassy in Kabul and the family had “come here to save their lives”.
The witness, also an interpreter for the British in Afghanistan, said: “I was in my room. I heard a sound, like I heard the body fall.
“His mother was in the room with him. She was screaming, ‘My son, my son.’
“When I came here (outside) I saw the ambulance and police here.”
It’s believed the family-of-seven landed at Birmingham Airport in July before quarantining for Covid in Manchester.
The parents, three boys and two girls were moved to Sheffield three or four days ago.
The interpreter added: “If the dad is working for the Americans or the English then their lives are in danger in Afghanistan.
“They came here to save their lives, they came for a new life here, but unfortunately…”
The Refugee Council has called for a review of accommodation offered to those fleeing the Taliban following the tragedy at around 2.30pm on Wednesday.
Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said: “This a terrible tragedy and our thoughts are with the family who have gone through so much trauma and suffering to reach the UK.
“It is vital the Home Office carry out an urgent investigation into what has happened so steps can be taken to quickly learn lessons.
“We don’t know the details of the incident but it is imperative that families who come from Afghanistan are given all the support they need and housed in appropriate accommodation. They are vulnerable and often very traumatized.”
A Government spokesperson said: “We are extremely saddened by the tragic death of a child at a hotel in Sheffield.
“The police are providing support to the family while the investigation continues and we cannot comment further at this time.”
Police has urged anyone with information to come forward
