Was it possible to save Omid’s life?

An inquest beginning today will examine why it took 31 hours to medically evacuate a refugee from Nauru to Australia after he had set himself on fire.

Iranian refugee Omid Masoumali died in a Brisbane hospital after setting himself alight on Nauru.

Iranian refugee Omid Masoumali died in a Brisbane hospital after setting himself alight on Nauru. Source: AAP

An inquest beginning today will examine why it took 31 hours to medically evacuate a refugee from Nauru to Australia after he had set himself on fire.

At the time, media reported 24-year-old Omid Masoumali  poured petrol over himself and lit it in front of officials from the United Nations Refugee Agency.

The Iranian man died from multiple organ failure shortly after arriving at a Brisbane hospital in April 2016

Queensland coroner Terry Ryan will look into what more could have been done to prevent the death, along with the health and medical evacuation services provided.

The National Justice Project's Principal Solicitor, George Newhouse, representing Mr Masoumali's family, says they hope the inquest will lead to change.


Share
Published 25 February 2019 4:36pm
Updated 25 February 2019 4:40pm
By Hachem El-Haddad
Source: SBS


Share this with family and friends


News

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
Independent news and stories connecting you to life in Australia and Arabic-speaking Australians.
Personal journeys of Arab-Australian migrants.
Get the latest with our exclusive in-language podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
Arabic Collection

Arabic Collection

Watch SBS On Demand