Fatiha Sabrin: Chemicals removed from flat where 11-year-old died and residents evacuated

14 December 2021, 13:55 | Updated: 14 December 2021, 21:07

Fatiha Sabrin died as chemicals were discovered at a property in Shadwell
Fatiha Sabrin died as chemicals were discovered at a property in Shadwell. Picture: Handout

By Will Taylor

Police are "doing everything we can" to find out what happened when an 11-year-old girl died at a flat in South London.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The Met said chemicals, thought to be used as pest control, had been discovered at a block of flats in Sutton Street, Shadwell.

Officers rushed to the scene after being told a child was unresponsive on Saturday afternoon, but after being taken to hospital she was pronounced dead.

The girl is thought to be Fatiha Sabrin, whose next of kin have been made aware. She was considered to be talented and had impressed judges in a writing competition, reports said.

Formal identification has not yet taken place and a special post-mortem exam is scheduled.

A woman and another child are still in hospital, though their injuries are not considered life-threatening.

Read more: Girl, 11, dies and three taken to hospital as chemicals discovered in block of flats

A number of others in the building received treatment after feeling unwell, and the block has been evacuated as a precaution.

Work is under way to remove the chemicals from the block.

Detective Chief Superintendent Marcus Barnett, who is in charge of policing for Tower Hamlets and Hackney, said: "Our thoughts remain first and foremost with Fatiha and her family.

"This is a tragic incident and we are doing everything we can to support them at this time and to understand what has happened.

"All other residents in the building were evacuated as a precaution and we understand that it is very distressing for them to be away from their homes.

"We are working closely with the local authority to ensure residents' needs are being met and to provide timely updates as to when they may be allowed back into their properties."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Donald Trump

Trump adviser tells hush money trial of firestorm over leaked ‘grab women’ tape

Left to right: Shane Cunningham, Leo Knight and Cartel Bushnell

Teenager who stabbed 16-year-old to death at Bath birthday house party jailed for life as two others also sentenced

Hope Hicks

Former presidential media adviser takes stand in Trump hush money trial

Flooded town in Brazil

Dozens believed dead as southern Brazil is hit by worst rain in 80 years

Footage of the flooding (via AP)

At least 29 dead, 60 still missing after heavy rains in southern Brazil

A group of people were hit by a car in Tameside.

Shocking moment car ploughs into group of people in 'hit-and-run' outside polling station as two arrested

Donald Trump

Gagging order on Trump does not stop him from testifying, says judge

Alfie Lewis was stabbed to death near a school in Leeds

Boy, 15, found guilty of murdering teenager Alfie Lewis as he walked to meet friends near Leeds school

Labour hails big local election wins but Sunak says public will stick with Tories at general election despite dismal results

Labour hails local election wins but Sunak says public will 'stick with' Tories at general election despite poor results

Mr Sunak has called a meeting for later this month.

Rishi Sunak summons university chiefs amid ‘serious concerns’ over antisemitism following clashes on US campuses

A woman has been hit by a bus outside Victoria station.

Woman rushed to hospital after being hit by double-decker bus outside London Victoria station

'Hero' father who fought off Hainault 'sword killer' posts update from hospital bed and thanks NHS for 'keeping me alive'

'Hero' father who fought off Hainault 'sword killer' posts update from hospital bed, thanking NHS for 'keeping me alive'

David Skaith, Kim McGuinness and Clare Ward have all been elected as regional mayors

Labour wins mayoral races in 'Rishi Sunak's backyard', York and North Yorkshire, North East, and East Midlands

The parents of rising young cricketer Josh Baker have paid tribute to their son.

Cricketer Josh Baker’s parents say they are ‘broken’ after his death aged 20 as they share emotional tribute

Russian invasion of Ukraine

Ukrainian officials urge Western partners to speed up military aid deliveries

Welcome back! King Charles embraced by neice Zara on surprise visit days after his return to public duty

Welcome back! King Charles embraced by niece Zara on surprise visit days after his return to public duty